PTFE latexes with particles in the submicrometer size range were employed as seeds in the emulsifier-free styrene emulsion polymerization to obtain PTFE−polystyrene (PS) core−shell nanospheres. Stable latexes were generally obtained. Neither residual PTFE nor secondary nucleation was observed, thus leading to PTFE−PS core−shell latexes. By appropriately choosing the ratio between the styrene monomer and the PTFE seed in the reaction mixture, it is possible to obtain spheres with predetermined sizes and narrow size distribution. In all cases, a slightly hemispherical morphology was observed. Peculiar effects related to the high degree of segregation of PTFE cores and their small size, and possibly to the PTFE/PS interface, were observed.

Hemicellulose-based hydrogels were prepared by radical polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate with oligomeric hydrosoluble hemicellulose modified with well-defined amounts of methacrylic functions. The polymerization reaction was carried out in water at 40 degrees C using a redox initiator system. The hydrogels were in general elastic, soft, and easily swellable in water. Their viscoelastic properties were determined by oscillatory shear measurements on 2 mm thick hydrogels under a slight compression to avoid slip, over the frequency range 10(-1) to 10(2). The rheological characterization indicated that the elastic response of the hydrogels was stronger than the viscous response, leading to the conclusion that the hydrogel systems displayed a predominantly solid-like behavior. The curves showed an increase in shear storage modulus with increasing cross-linking density. The nature of the synthetic comonomer in the hemicellulose-based hydrogels also influenced the shear storage modulus. Comparison of hemicellulose-based hydrogels with pure poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels showed that their behaviors were rather similar, demonstrating that the synthetic procedure made it possible to prepare hemicellulose-based hydrogels with properties similar to those of pure poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels.