Residual order in amorphous dry films of polymer latices: indications of an influence of particle interaction

Abstract We report small angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy measurements on macroscopically thick, dry films of polymer latex particles. While the surface of dried droplets has long range order due to layering effects, the overall bulk structure is amorphous. This holds for both low charge polymethylmetacrylate particles and for highly charged polystyrene particles with additional stabilisation with sodiumdodecylsurfate. In the latter case, however, considerable amounts of residual crystal-like order is observed.