Latex particulates with epoxide functional groups

A method of generating a liquid suspension including epoxide group-functionalized latex particulates, comprising steps of:

• a) forming an emulsion including a continuous hydrophilic phase and a discontinuous hydrophobic phase, said discontinuous hydrophobic phase including a plurality of monomers, said monomers comprising:
• i) epoxide group-forming monomers, and
• ii) support-forming monomers;
• b) copolymerizing the monomers to form precursor latex particulates dispersed within the hydrophilic phase;
• and
• c) reacting the precursor latex particulates with a base to form epoxide group-functionalized latex particulates.

An ink-jet ink composition, comprising:

• a) a liquid vehicle;
• b) epoxide-group functionalized latex particulates dispersed in the liquid vehicle;
• and
• c) a nucleophilic colorant dispersed or dissolved in the liquid vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the nucleophilic colorant is reacted with the epoxide group-functionalized latex particulates.

A composition for sensor applications, comprising:

• a) a continuous liquid phase;
• b) epoxide group-functionalized latex particulates dispersed in the continuous liquid phase;
• and
• c) nucleophilic chemical or biological sensing molecules, wherein at least a portion of the nucleophilic chemical or biological sensing molecules are coupled to the epoxide group-functionalized latex particulates.