Preparation of stimulus-responsive liquid marbles using a polyacid-stabilised polystyrene latex

Abstract

Sterically-stabilised polystyrene latex particles prepared with a new polyacid macromonomer are sufficiently hydrophobic at low pH to stabilise ‘liquid marbles’. Such ‘liquid marbles’ remain intact when placed on the surface of liquid water adjusted to pH 4 or below. Moreover, addition of base to this aqueous solution causes immediate destruction of the ‘liquid marble’ since the stabiliser chains become highly hydrophilic above pH 5.5.