Thermoplastic particulates coated with polymer nanoparticles and methods for production and use thereof

A method comprising:

• combining a thermoplastic polymer and polymer nanoparticles with a carrier fluid at a heating temperature at or above a melting point or softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer and below a melting point, softening temperature or decomposition temperature of the polymer nanoparticles;
• wherein the thermoplastic polymer and the polymer nanoparticles have less than 1 wt. % solubility in the carrier fluid at the heating temperature, and the polymer nanoparticles comprise a polymer having a melting point higher than the thermoplastic polymer;
• applying shear to disperse the thermoplastic polymer as liquefied droplets in the carrier fluid at the heating temperature in the presence of the polymer nanoparticles;
• after liquefied droplets have formed, cooling the carrier fluid to at least a temperature at which thermoplastic particulates in a solidified state form, the thermoplastic particulates comprising the thermoplastic polymer and at least a portion of the polymer nanoparticles disposed upon an outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates;
• and
• separating the thermoplastic particulates from the carrier fluid.