Flash Nano-precipitation and -complexation to Produce Polymer Colloids

In this chapter, we have reviewed FNP and FNC as two promising processes with which to prepare polymer colloids. While rapid mixing and subsequent solvent exchange during FNP result in collapse and aggregation of polymer globules to form monodisperse polymer colloids, phase separation between chemically distinct polymers can further result in the formation of colloids with complex internal structures, including those with Janus, core–shell, and hierarchically-structured morphologies. Alternatively, FNC relies on the complexation of two oppositely-charged species upon mixing to create polymer colloids without the need for organic solvents and has been shown to effectively encapsulate a variety of payloads. We have reviewed the various equipment configurations that can be used to perform both FNP and FNC and emphasize that these processes can be run in a continuous manner at room temperature, making them economical options and requiring relatively few alterations to scale up the production of polymer colloids.