Synthetic strategies for raspberry-like polymer composite particles

Abstract

Raspberry-like polymer composite particles, which refer to the particles consisting of smaller corona particles attached to the surface of larger core particles with the core and/or the corona containing the polymer component, have attracted much interest over the past two decades. Syntheses of these particles typically involve seeded polymerization, Pickering polymerization, formation of inorganic coronas on the polymer core particles, and heterocoagulation, although some other techniques have also been developed. This review summarizes the strategies used for the preparation of raspberry-like polymer composite particles with a focus on the representative and latest developments, followed by a brief discussion of their applications and an outlook on future developments.