On the role of colloidal crystal-like domains in the film forming process of a carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex copolymer

- ESEM was utilized to study film formation of carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex.
- Microstructures of film surface and matrix formed during drying were compared.
- Upon dehydration monodisperse SB particles self-assemble in well-ordered domains.
- Latex coalescence begins in the domains before it spreads across the entire matrix.
- Colloidal crystals represent the starting point for latex particle coalescence.