Patent ID: 7202300

Claim:
A method of preparing an aqueous microemulsion which includes the step of contacting a first phase, a first material immiscible therewith, a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material wherein: (a) (i) said first polymeric material has a repeat unit of the formula wherein A and B are the same or different, are selected from optionally-substituted aromatic and heteroaromatic groups and at least one comprises a relatively polar atom or group and R 1 and R 2 independently comprise relatively non-polar atoms or groups; or (ii) said first polymeric material is prepared or preparable by providing a compound of general formula wherein A, B, R 1 and R 2 are as described above, in an aqueous solvent and causing the groups C═C in said compound to react with one another to form said first polymeric material; (b) said second polymeric material includes a functional group which is able to react with said first polymeric material so that covalent bonds are formed between said first and second polymeric materials; (c) the ratio of the weight of said first polymeric material to the weight of said first phase is equal to or less than 0.0025; (d) the ratio of the weight of said second polymeric material to the weight of said first phase is equal to or less than 0.035; and (e) said first phase comprises water.