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Enriching substrates near catalysts is an effective strategy to improve heterogeneous catalytic performance. The surface of PMMA@PIL-PA patchy nanoparticles is segmented into PMMA and PIL-PA domains. The hydrophobic PMMA domain can enrich water-insoluble substrates, while the hydrophilic PIL-PA one catalyzes the reaction of water-soluble and water-insoluble substrates in close proximity. The special patchy nanoparticles with both a hydrophobic substrate warehouse and catalysis functional divisions can effectively improve the catalytic efficiency. They were employed to catalyze the acetal reaction between water-insoluble benzaldehyde and water-soluble ethylene glycol by phosphotungstic acid (PA). Compared with the homo-nanoparticles, the conversion rate was greatly improved.

The polymer/inorganic composite trilayered Janus mesoporous nanodiscs are synthesized by coassembly of gelable poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(3-triethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene (PEO-b-PTEPM-b-PS) and PEO-b-PS via a sol–gel process at an emulsion interface. Bimodal phase separations are responsible for the formation of isolated nanodiscs and mesopores within the discs. The Janus mesoporous nanodiscs are amphiphilic to form superstructures in dispersions. They can serve as a solid surfactant to stabilize emulsions.

Tadpole-like Janus nanotubes with controlled size are fabricated by a sol-gel reaction at the emulsion interface. Pd or Fe3O4 nanoparticles can be selectively captured into their cavities to obtain tadpole-like Janus Pd-nanotubes or tadpole-like Janus Fe3O4-nanotubes. They can be driven directionally by a chemical fuel or near-infrared (NIR) light.

We report a new jellyfish-like Janus polymeric cage and its synthesis by two-step emulsion interfacial polymerization. The “head” part is generated by the free-radical polymerization of styrene/div...

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), one of the most promising biodegradable polymer products, has achieved wide applications for its relatively good mechanical properties and moderate degradability. Here we report an environment-friendly filler, the organic-inorganic composite Janus nanosheets (PLA/PBS JNs), which can jam at the interface of the PLA/PBS blend with a low threshold as the compatibilizer and can simultaneously toughen the composites and improve the gas barrier performance due to better interfacial interaction and tortuous path effect. With 0.3 wt % of PLA/PBS JNs added, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the PLA/PBS blend can be improved by 37% and 224%, respectively. After a further hot-pressing process, the barrier performance of the PLA/PBS composite membranes can be significantly enhanced since PLA, PLA/PBS JNs, and PBS are arranged in a nearly lamellar structure with oxygen permeability of 0.63 × 10

A zwitterionic polymeric hair-coated stainless steel mesh membrane is fabricated, which demonstrates efficient separation of oil/water mixtures and emulsions. The hairy coating of poly(divinylbenzene-co-vinylbenzene chloride) is generated by precipitation cationic polymerization, and subsequently grafting a zwitterionic polymer layer by atom transfer radical polymerization of sulfobetaine methacrylate. The microstructure of the hairy coating is tunable from an array of individual nanofibers to porous networks by interweaving of the hairs. The long-range attraction of zwitterionic polymers with water renders the coated mesh with excellent superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic performance. The coated mesh is highly antifouling to avoid the prehydration in conventional methods. Moreover, the microstructure is demonstrated to be responsible for the high separation efficiency of oil/water emulsion. Therefore, separation of oil/water mixtures and emulsions becomes easier by the coated mesh, which is promising in industrial oil field sewage treatment.

A bottlebrush-colloid Janus nanoparticle (JNP) with a ball-and-stick structure is reported. A single poly(4-vinyl benzyl chloride) (PVBC) polymer chain was grafted onto the amine-capped Fe3O4@NH2 n...

Strength is usually compromised with toughness of polymer blends. We report a new way to synchronously strengthen and toughen a typical blend of epoxy resin/nitrile-butadiene rubber (EP/LNBR) with ...

Hairy composite particles with polymer nanoscale hairs are grown by precipitated cationic living polymerization onto a particle surface. Composition and length of the hairs are tuneable. The hair growth is general following the tip-growth mode. By step polymerization of varied monomers, multiple segmental hairs are achieved onto a particle surface. As an example, the PEG-conjugated PVBC-PDVB@Fe3O4 hairy particle is derived. It is highly effective to capture oil from the aqueous surroundings and easily recycled with a magnet.

A robust thermo-responsive polymeric Janus cage with a PNIPAM-cPVBC-PEO sandwiched shell is synthesized. The Janus cage provides a general method of thermally triggered separation of oil/water emulsions independent of the type of surfactant and emulsion. It can selectively capture organic compounds at a higher temperature and release them at a lower temperature.

A strategy is proposed to stabilize the polymeric interface by using the irregular Janus nanosheet (JNS). The poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) at 60/40 (wt/wt) with a bi-continuous structure is selected as the model melt blend, and the PMMA/epoxy JNS is synthesized and used as the compatibilizer. The JNS is preferentially located at the interface. The interfacial coverage by the JNS reaches a saturated state forming the interconnected jamming structure at 0.5 wt% of the JNS. The interface is thus stabilized which is well preserved after annealing at high temperature. After selectively etching PLLA, the robust PVDF porous material is derived with the JNS armored at the pore skeleton surface. The porous material provides a universal scaffold to achieve stable functional materials after filling the pores.

For double network (DN) hydrogels, their performance can be tuned by adjusting the interaction between their two networks. A novel DN hydrogel toughening approach is proposed by employing Janus nanoparticles (JNs) as crosslinkers to gain a conjoined-network hydrogel. First, a kind of JNs modified by amino groups and quaternary ammonium salt is synthesized, named R

Triblock Janus particles are prepared by two-step seeded emulsion polymerization against eccentric polymer hollow particles. Two silica bulges are sequentially grown at the eccentric zone transiting from the thick shell to the thin shell. The angle between the two silica bulge axes is tunable within 0–180°, determined by the eccentricity degree of the PS/PDVB hollow seed particles. The two silica bulges and the PS/PDVB domain of the triblock Janus particles can be selectively modified to enrich composition and functionality. As an example, the paramagnetic PS/PEO modified triblock Janus composite particle can serve as a functional solid surfactant to manipulate emulsion droplets with a magnet and deliver desired materials toward the interface.

We report a general method to synthesize polymeric Janus nanosheets (PJS) by sequential RAFT grafting from a template particle surface. Layer number and composition of the PJS are tunable by feeding sequence and type of monomers. The cPNIPAM–PS PJS is flexible and thermal responsive, which can form a scrolled superstructure. A dually responsive cPAA–PNIPAM PJS is derived by hydrolysis of cPtBA–PNIPAM. Accordingly, stability of the emulsion with the cPAA–PNIPAM PJS is triggered by alternation of pH or/and temperature.

A robust light-responsive coating based on Janus composite particles is achieved. First, strawberry-like silica Janus particles are synthesized by the sol-gel process at a patchy emulsion interface. One side of the silica Janus particles possesses nanoscale roughness, and the other side is flat. Then, spiropyran-containing polymer brushes are grafted onto the coarse hemispherical side of the as-synthesized Janus particles, and the other flat side is modified with imidazoline groups. The light-responsive polymer brush-terminated coarse hemispherical sides direct toward the air when the Janus composite particles self-organize into a layer on the surface of epoxy resin substrate. The imidazoline groups react with the epoxy groups in the epoxy resin to form a robust smart coating. The coating can be reversibly triggered between hydrophobic and hydrophilic by UV and visible-light irradiation, which is attributed to the isomerization of spiropyran moieties. When the hydrophobic ring-closed spiropyran form is prominent, HeLa cells can be effectively captured onto the coating. After UV light irradiation, the ring-closed spiropyran form changes to the hydrophilic ring-opened zwitterionic merocyanine form, and then the captured cells are released. This work shows promising potential for engineering advanced smart biointerfaces.

Bi-continuous emulsion stabilized with amphiphilic Janus particles was achieved. Phase inversion of the as-formed emulsion was driven by increasing water content. The orientated Janus particle monolayer at the bi-continuous emulsion interface is interconnected by interfacial polymerization to form robust materials with amphiphilic channels.

We present a review of the very recent advances in the synthesis of block copolymer (BCP) Janus nanomaterials. Although Janus micelles can form by the self-assembly of BCPs in solution, patchy or core–shell structures are usually dominant. Structural transformation of the core–shell structure or disassembly of the patchy structure is further employed to achieve Janus nanomaterials. Disassembly of ABC tri-block terpolymer supramolecular structures is advantageous in tuning much more easily the shapes of the Janus nanomaterials from spherical to cylindrical and sheet/disc-like. Narrow molecular weight distributions and strict processing conditions are required. Emulsion droplet confined self-assembly of BCPs can directly achieve Janus nanomaterials in a sufficiently small droplet and/or at low polymer concentration. A neutral emulsion interface is required using proper surfactants. Alternatively, a general method has been proposed to prepare Janus nanomaterials by guided self-assembly of BCPs within a confined environment by the strong interaction and the selective crosslinking of one block. The aforementioned Janus nanomaterials are in the form of a polymer cluster. Single chain Janus nanomaterials of BCPs can be prepared by intramolecular crosslinking of one block in a very dilute solution. It remains challenging to synthesize single chain Janus nanomaterials at high solid content for example tens of percent. At the end of this review, a perspective on BCP Janus nanomaterials is provided.

A Fe3O4 nanoparticle (NP) based on composite Janus NP with single polymer chain is prepared by termination of the modified Fe3O4 NP with the anionic living polymer chain. The requisite that the polymer chain should be sufficiently large over the NP diameter determines the grafting of single polymer chain. From the opposite side of the NP surface, functional species can be selectively grown for example grafting responsive PNIPAM by ATRP. Besides simple combination of the thermal and magnetic responsive performances of different components, the PS–Fe3O4–PNIPAM composite Janus NP shows additional interactive performance such as NIR-triggered Janus/hydrophobic transition at low surrounding temperature below LCST ∼ 32 °C.

A series of nanocomposite elastomers are prepared by dispersing surface-modified silica Janus nanoparticles into semi-interpenetrating network (Semi-IPN) of polyurethane/polyethyl methacrylate. Benefiting from the hierarchically crosslinked structures that consist of physical interlocking mediated by hydrogen-bond-rich silica Janus nanoparticles and permanent crosslinking by Semi-IPN, these elastomers exhibit excellent mechanical properties. Moreover, the Janus nanosheet is found more effective in strengthening and toughening the Semi-IPN, in comparison to Janus hollow sphere. Since 1,2-dioxetane is covalently embedded in these elastomers as a mechanoluminescent stress probe, stress transfer between the polymer and Janus nanoparticles and the toughening mechanism can be illuminated, which offer exciting opportunities to study the failure process of complex polymer nanocomposites with high spatial and temporal resolution.

A particle mold synthesis of 2D Janus nanomaterials is proposed by crosslinking of copolymer self-assembled monolayers confined within the mold domains. Onto the silica (SiO2 ) particle surface, mold domains with functional groups such as imidazole are generated. The model copolymer of polyacrylic acid-block-polystyrene (PAA-b-PS) can be preferentially absorbed onto the domains via electrostatic interactions, forming a self-assembled monolayer. In a cosolvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), the crosslinking occurs within the whole of the PAA side. A Janus disc is thus achieved after detachment from the particle upon breaking the specific interaction. In a poor solvent, the crosslinking slowly occurs from the periphery, giving Janus nanorings. The rings evolve into discs with further crosslinking. The mold particles can be recycled to synthesize the same 2D Janus materials.

We present a facile approach toward straightforward synthesis of Janus nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(4-vinylpyridine)-based block copolymers by solvent evaporation induced assembly within emulsion droplets. Formation of the Janus NPs is arisen from the synergistic effect between solvent selectivity and interfacial selectivity. This method is robust without the requisites of narrow molecular weight distribution and specific range of block fraction of the copolymers. Janus NPs can also be achieved from mixtures of copolymers, whose aspect size ratio and thus Janus balance are finely tunable. The Janus NPs are capable to self-assemble into ordered superstructures either onto substrates or in dispersions, whose morphology relies on Janus balance.

We report the synthesis of light-triggered Janus composite nanosheets and their Janus performance. Onto the amine-group terminated side of silica Janus nanosheets, a photo-responsive spiropyran-containing polymer (PSPMA) brush has been prepared by ATRP, while the other side terminated with hydrophobic octyl groups is preserved. Upon UV irradiation, the hydrophobic PSPMA side becomes hydrophilic since the hydrophobic spiropyran changes to the hydrophilic zwitterionic merocyanine form (or vice versa with visible light). Consequently, the PSPMA/silica composite nanosheets become Janus from hydrophobic or vice versa. The Janus composite nanosheets can serve as a responsive solid emulsifier, thus the stability of the emulsions can be remotely triggered with light. Unlike those pH- or temperature-responsive Janus materials, the light-triggering process requires no additional input of chemicals or thermal energy.

We present with experiments and computer simulations that colloidal molecules with tunable geometry can be generated through 3D confined assembly of diblock copolymers. This unique self-assembly can be attributed to the slight solvent selectivity, nearly neutral confined interface, deformable soft confinement space, and strong confinement degree. We show that the symmetric geometry of the colloidal molecules originates from the free energy minimization. Moreover, these colloidal molecules with soft nature and directional interaction can further self-assemble into hierarchical superstructures without any modification. We anticipate that these new findings are helpful to extend the scope of our knowledge for the diblock copolymer self-assembly, and the colloidal molecules with new composition and performance will bring new opportunities to this emerging field.

Polymeric Janus nanosheets are synthesized by crosslinking the self-assembled monolayer formed by a reactive polymer surfactant at an oil/water interface. At low temperature, while the hydrophobic segments are frozen by the internal phase of solid paraffin, the reactive hydrophilic carboxylic acid groups exposed to the external aqueous phase can be selectively crosslinked to form an intact nanomembrane. The Janus nanosheets can be created after breaking the nanomembrane into pieces under ultrasonication during dissolution of the paraffin phase. Many approaches can be used to crosslink the nanomembrane at the interface, for example multiple amines and multivalent cationic ions. The polymeric Janus nanosheets can be easily functionalized to derive a series of composite nanosheets. The composite Janus nanosheets can serve as new solid surfactants which are responsive to pH or magnetic field.

Janus composite nanosheets of PNIPAM/silica/PDEAEMA are synthesized by sequential ATRP grafting two polymers from the corresponding sides of the Janus silica nanosheets. They are dually responsive to pH and temperature since wettability of the two sides is tunable accordingly. The nanosheets can serve as a responsive solid emulsifier. Type and stability of the emulsions are triggered by simply changing pH and temperature.

We present a facile approach toward snowman-like silica@PDVB/PS Janus particles by seed emulsion polymerization using a gelable monomer MPS against a PDVB/PS hollow particle. Individual silica bulge is protruded from the seed particle surface, whose size is tunable. The silica@PDVB Janus particles are derived after dissolution of PS, which are robust to tolerate against organic solvents. Both sides are reactive for selective modifications to grow desired materials with tunable wettability and functionality. As solid emulsifiers, the Janus balance of the particles is tunable from more hydrophobic to more hydrophilic by changing either aspect size ratio or composition of the two sides.

Conelike cross-linked PS particles are polymerized at a patchy emulsion interface. The PS particles synthesized in the dispersed paraffin phase immigrate toward the interface due to the Pickering effect. At the triple phase contact line, the particles are squeezed into cone shape under an outward convex interfacial tension mismatch. The conelike PS particles are adhered to paraffin sphere surface and synchronously protected, which allows selective modifications of the two sides. The Janus particles can self-organize into superstructures in dispersions. Robust coatings are easily fabricated from the Janus particles, whose wettability is tunable from highly adhesive for water to superhydrophobic by simply changing the size distribution of the Janus particles.

We present a facile and versatile approach to prepare diblock copolymer based Janus nanoparticles (NPs). Diblock copolymer PS-b-P4VP can self-assemble into patchy particles with P4VP protuberances on their surface using the emulsion solvent evaporation method. After cross-linking the P4VP protuberances, Janus NPs are produced by disassembling the particles. Within the P4VP domains, other species including metallic and inorganic are preferentially grown to extend composition and functionality. The Janus NPs are amphiphilic and capable to self-organize into superstructures. The size ratio of P4VP/PS and thus the Janus balance of the NPs are tunable by changing block chain length ratio of the block copolymers.

Herein we present a unique method of using dynamic cross-links, which are dynamic covalent bonding and ionic interaction, for the construction of injectable double-network (DN) hydrogels, with the objective of cell delivery for cartilage repair. Glycol chitosan and dibenzaldhyde capped poly(ethylene oxide) formed the first network, while calcium alginate formed the second one, and in the resultant DN hydrogel, either of the networks could be selectively removed. The moduli of the DN hydrogel were significantly improved compared to that of the parent single-network hydrogels and were tunable by changing the chemical components. In situ 3D cell encapsulation could be easily performed by mixing cell suspension to the polymer solutions and transferred through a syringe needle before sol–gel transition. Cell proliferation and mediated differentiation of mouse chondrogenic cells were achieved in the DN hydrogel extracellular matrix.

Lithium ion battery received much attention as the power supply for electric/hybrid vehicles. The outstanding demands on safety and energy density set the barrier to overcome. In this paper, the developments of separators in aspects of new emerging materials and technologies were discussed.

Janus colloidal particles with hierarchical structures are generated by phase separation of diblock copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) and homopolymer poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) binary blends in confined geometry. The dependence of their morphology on the copolymer composition, solvent selectivity, particle size, and polymer/aqueous solution interfacial property was investigated. By varying the particle/aqueous solution interfacial property alternately, the Janus particles exhibited a reversible morphological transformation under solvent-adsorption annealing process. In addition, by introducing 3-n-pentadecyphenol (PDP) which can hydrogen bond with P4VP to form supramolecules, the structure of the Janus particles can be well tuned. Furthermore, due to the complexation of pyridine unit with Au precursor, composite Janus particles with Au nanoparticles selectively incorporated in P4VP microdomains can be easily manipulated.

Ionic liquid functionalized Janus nanosheets are synthesized by selective treatment of the imidazolin terminated side of Janus nanosheets while the other side is preserved. The Janus performance of the nanosheets and thus emulsion stability are reversibly triggered by anion exchange.

A reversible transformation of overall shape and internal structure as well as surface composition of nanostructured block copolymer particles is demonstrated by solvent-adsorption annealing. Polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) pupa-like particles with PS and P4VP lamellar domains alternatively stacked can be obtained by self-assembly of the block copolymer under 3D soft confinement. Chloroform, a good solvent for both blocks, is selected to swell and anneal the pupa-like particles suspended in aqueous media. Reversible transformation between pupa-like and onion-like structures of the particles can be readily tuned by simply adjusting the particle/aqueous solution interfacial property. Interestingly, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) concentration in the aqueous media plays a critical role in determining the particle morphology. High level of PVA concentration is favorable for pupa-like morphology, while extremely low concentration of PVA is favorable for the formation of onion-like particles. Moreove...

A facile approach for the synthesis of responsive polymer composite nanotubular organogelators in large scale is reported. The exterior surface of the nanotubes is coarsening and hydrophobic after favorable growth of paramagnetic nanoparticles and oleic acid modification. All the tested organic solvents with varied polarities can be fast gelated by the addition of the composite nanotubular organogelators. The formed gel is easily removed from water with a magnet. A thermal responsive polymer PNIPAM is used to modify the surface of the composite nanotubes, it endows the release of captured oil from the gel by decreasing temperature. The composite nanotubular organogelators are promising in collecting chemical spills from water.

Janus cages with a bilayer polymer–inorganic composite shell are synthesized by an emulsion interfacial self-organized sol–gel process followed by a polymer grafting onto the interior surface containing a vinyl group. Binary surfactants experience a phase separation to create transverse channels across the shell. The Janus cages can be functionalized by either growing responsive polymers or integrating with functional nanoparticles. They are promising in controlled loading and triggered release of desired materials under guidance.

A general approach is proposed to synthesize Janus polymer/inorganic composite nanosheets. Onto the amine-group-terminated side of the Janus inorganic nanosheets, initiators are covalently bonded. By a favorable grafting from initiator-terminated side, responsive polymers, for example PDEAEMA and PNIPAM, are synthesized by controlled polymerization for example ATRP or RAFT polymerization. Stable emulsions are easily formed in the presence of the Janus nanosheets, which can be easily de-emulsified by subtle changing physicochemical parameters, for example temperature and pH.

We have developed a facile approach to synthesize anisotropic Janus hybrid particles by selective modification of bulgy patches on the composite spheres, which are in situ grown by phase separation during seeded emulsion polymerization. Janus particles are achieved by dissolution of the seed polymer particles. It is the key to control phase separation to form multiple bulges and tune their size by pH and monomer fraction. The size of the Janus particles is continuously tunable from submicrometer to nanometer scale. They can be massively synthesized since many bulges are derived from one seed sphere.

Janus materials with two different chemical regions compartmentalized onto the same objects are gaining growing interests. It has become a new hotspot of material research for its anisotropic composition and structure. It is key to develop new methods that can easily and large-scale synthesize Janus materials with tunable morphology, strict chemical composition partition, functional composite partition, and precise control of microstructure. It will support new ideas and measures for the further production and application of Janus materials

Janus polymeric cages are fabricated by Pickering emulsion interfacial polymerization. The modified silica particles are used to stabilize the emulsions. Oil-soluble monomers and water-soluble monomers copolymerized in between the voids among the silica particles at the interface, forming amphiphilic Janus polymer shell in which the silica particles are embedded. After removal of the silica particles and the oil core, the corresponding Janus polymeric cages are achieved with uniform and regularly arrayed holes across the shell. The Janus cages are permeable to both organic molecules and particles.

We report a general emulsion approach to protrude a lobe by swelling the polymer core from a core–shell structure, achieving anisotropic Janus composite particles with tunable chemistry, shape, size, and size ratio of the two parts thus Janus balance. Oil-in-water emulsion is employed to swell a polymer core through the crack open hole within the shell, and the core protrusion is restricted in the particle/oil confined compartments enveloped with surfactant. When monomers are used as the oil solvents, cross-linking can strengthen the polymer lobe to tolerate against organic solvents. By tuning polymerization time and monomer/particle weight ratio, the size ratio of the polymer/inorganic parts thus Janus balance of the composite particles is continuously tunable across from more hydrophilic to more lipophilic. The robust anisotropic particles with tunable Janus balance can be further used as solid surfactants to tune microstructure of emulsions.

Janus nanosheets of polymer–inorganic layered composites are fabricated by crushing the corresponding Janus composite hollow spheres, which are synthesized by materialization of an amphiphilic emulsion interface with self-organized sol–gel process and subsequent polymer grafting onto the lipophilic side. The Janus composite nanosheets serve as solid surfactants to stabilize emulsion droplets, which are tolerant against solvents. Janus balance of the composite nanosheets is tunable crossing from more lipophilic to hydrophilic by alteration of polymer content. Thereafter, continuous phase of the emulsions can be inverted.

A facile and general one-step approach is presented to synthesize hollow spheres with varied composition by an aerosol-assisted solvent evaporation process. The monomer of ethyl-2-cyanoacrylatemide contained in the aerosol droplets can form an outer shell by a fast polymerization around the droplets. Materials inside the droplets further grow inwardly against onto the interior surface of the first shell forming another shell forming composite hollow spheres. The hollow spheres are derived by dissolution of the outer shell, therefore the intact shell can be well preserved. Many approaches can be exploited forming the second shell for example sol-gel process of oligomers and phase separation from polymer solutions. Microstructure of the hollow spheres can be tuned from smooth to porous. The methodology is general.

Flexible Janus nanosheets of molecular scale thickness (3.5 nm) are massively fabricated by a sol–gel process of a self-assembled monolayer of an amphiphilic silane onto a template. Groups of both sides are tuneable, and thus performance of the nanosheets, for example, is pH responsive. As a flexible solid emulsifier, the desired species can be wrapped with an individual nanosheet, which is pH triggered.

A fluoropoly(ether ether ketone) (FPEEK) demonstrating blue fluorescence was developed as a flexible, transparent membranous matrix for the incorporation of quantum dots (QDs) to fabricate a composite photoluminescent film which is promising as a self-referenced temperature sensor.

Janus hollow silica spheres with an asymmetric shell are synthesized by self-assembled sol–gel process at an emulsion interface, and desired materials can be preferentially laden inside the cavities from their surroundings.

The stability and phase behavior of acrylamide-based emulsions, prepared with surfactants consisting of lipophilic Span80 and hydrophilic OP10, before or after polymerization were investigated. The research results indicated that the phase separation behavior of the W/O-type emulsions is related to the toluene/water ratio. When the water volume fraction was larger, the phase separation mechanism was mainly a penetration of aqueous molecules from the dispersed-phase droplets. When the water volume fraction was smaller, the phase separation mechanism was mainly a sedimentation of the separated aqueous droplets. At a fixed toluene/water ratio, the emulsion stability and the emulsion type are related not only to the ratio of the two surfactants but also to the acrylamide concentration, and the effect of increasing acrylamide concentration on the character of the emulsions is similar to that of increasing OP10 mass fraction (increasing HLB value), which determines the corresponding relationship between acrylamide concentration and HLB value in the most stable emulsion system. To obtain the most stable emulsion at a fixed acrylamide concentration, the emulsion with higher acrylamide concentration needs a lower HLB value for the emulsion systems.

Janus hollow spheres, with different compositions compartmentalized onto both interior and exterior surfaces of the same shell and P25 nanoparticles encapsulated in the cavities, are synthesized by the ultrasonic spray method to selectively enrich desired reagents in a confined environment for further reaction.

Crosslinked polymer nanotubes are large scale synthesized. The method is based on fast cationic polymerization using immiscible initiator nanodroplets. Nanoporous network processed from the nanotubes is superhydrophobic, which can absorb all the tested organic chemicals forming robust gels. The nanotubes are promising in the collection of spilled organic chemicals, detoxification and water treatment.