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This book first reviews and then compares the main experimental techniques used in the study and analysis of latex film formation. Each of the three main stages of film formation is considered separately, introducing relevant theoretical descriptions.

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This book has emerged out of our long-time research interests on the topic of latex film formation. Over the years we have built up a repertoire of slides used in conference presentations, short courses and tutorials on the topic. The story presented in this book has thereby taken shape as it has been told and re-told to a mix of academic and industrial audiences. The book presents a wide body of work accumulated by the polymer colloids community over the past five decades, but the selection of examples has been flavoured by our particular experimental interests and development of mathematical models. We intend the book to be a starting point for academic and industrial scientists beginning research on latex film formation. The emphasis is on fundam- tal mechanisms, however, and not on applications nor on specific effects of formu- tions. We hope that the book consolidates the understanding that has been achieved to-date in the literature in a more comprehensive way than is possible in a review article. We trust that the reader will appreciate the fascination of the topic.

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An Introduction to Latex and the Principles of Colloidal Stability.- Established and Emerging Techniques of Studying Latex Film Formation.- Drying of Latex Films.- Particle Deformation.- Molecular Diffusion Across Particle Boundaries.- Surfactant Distribution in Latex Films.- Nanocomposite Latex Films and Control of Their Properties.- Future Directions and Challenges.

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From the reviews:
"The book demonstrates that there are basically four stages in the process of latex film formation. These are water loss, close packing of particles, deformation of particles leading to optical clarity in a dodecahedral structure (honeycomb) and, finally, interdiffusion and coalescence leading to a homogenous film. ... for the latex technologist, it will be of interest in the understanding of why certain formulations work and others do not, and may lead to more environmentally friendly processes." (Leslie Harrison, Materials World Magazine, June, 2012)

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