Synthesis of surfactant-free micro- and nanolatexes from Pickering emulsions stabilized by acetylated cellulose nanocrystals

We report an easy route to surfactant-free micro- and nanolatexes of polystyrene dispersed in water from Pickering emulsion systems, using modified cellulose nanocrystals as stabilizing particles. Each step of the formation of these latexes was thoroughly investigated: modification of the cellulose nanocrystals, colloidal properties of the emulsions, impact of the polymerization initiator, impact of the ionic strength and mechanisms leading to the formation of the nanolatexes.