Scalable synthesis of a new class of polymer microrods by a liquid - Liquid dispersion technique

An efficient scalable process for forming polymer microrods, based on a liquid-liquid dispersion technique, is reported. Rod-like particles with diameters of 0.5-3 mum and lengths of tens of micrometers form via three concurrent processes: emulsification of polymer solution, shear-driven deformation of the drops into cylinders, and solidification into rod-like particles (see Figure). The microrods are readily oriented by electric fields.