The temperature-controlled flocculation of crosslinked latex particles

Abstract

Aqueous dispersions of poly(N-isopropylacryiamide) latex are shown to be stable at 25 °C in the presence of simple electrolytes and non-adsorbing polymers; at 40 °C, however, flocculation of the particles takes place as a result of charge screening and depletion forces operative in the system; this process is shown to be reversible, with the particles redispersing on cooling to 25 °C.