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Miniemulsion Polymerization (miniemulsion + polymerization)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Polymers and Materials Science	100%

Selected Abstracts

Kinetics of Miniemulsion Polymerization of Styrene in the Presence of Organoclays

MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2008
Zhaohui Tong
Abstract The impacts of nanoclays on the miniemulsion polymerization kinetics of styrene were studied. It was found that both RP and the fractional conversion decreased upon increasing the organoclay content in the miniemulsion system. In the presence of nanoclay the molecular weight of polystyrene nanoclay composite is lower and the particle size polydispersity of the final composite latex is greater than that of pure styrene miniemulsion polymerization. The effect of the nanoclays is mainly caused by the destabilization of the miniemulsion by the organoclay particles. The increase in the monomer viscosity and the decrease in the diffusion rate of the monomer and the living polymer inside the monomer droplet also accounts for the reduction in the polymerization rate. [source]

Surviving Radicals: Promises of a Microwave Effect on Miniemulsion Polymerization for Technical Processes

MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 4 2007
Christian Holtze
Abstract Rapid heating in a microwave oven has unexpected effects on free radical miniemulsion polymerization: After a temperature pulse of less than 20 s, ultra-high molecular weight polystyrene was yielded at a conversion larger than 40%. These results may be explained with the model of "surviving radicals" according to which single radicals remain active inside the confined reaction space of latex particles even after the emulsion has left the microwave oven. In the pure environment of a 100 nm droplet, they cannot terminate and will polymerize all the monomer within a droplet. In this contribution, we summarize the concept of "surviving radical polymerization" and present recent results on the effects of radical-active additives and the development of a tube reactor for continuous microwave-assisted processing. These investigations highlight the potential of this method for industrial applications. [source]

Morphology of Polymer/Clay Latex Particles Synthesized by Miniemulsion Polymerization: Modeling and Experimental Results

MACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 6-7 2010
Matej Mi
Abstract BA/MMA (90:10,wt.-%) were copolymerized in the presence of two different organomodified clays (C30B and CMA16) and 1.6,2.6,wbm.-% surfactants. The effect of the compatibility of the organoclay in the monomer mixture on the morphology of hybrid polymer/clay particles was determined using TEM. The resulting morphologies were compared with the prediction of a Monte-Carlo simulation that determined the equilibrium morphology of monomer/clay hybrid miniemulsion droplets. The model predicted encapsulated morphologies only when the organoclay presented low clay/monomer and high clay/water interfacial tensions. C30B and CMA16 did not fulfill these conditions and provided a preferential surface location of the platelets on the polymer/water interphase as predicted by the model. [source]

Nitroxide-Mediated Bulk and Miniemulsion Polymerization in a Continuous Tubular Reactor: Synthesis of Homo-, Di- and Triblock Copolymers

MACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 3-4 2010
Thomas E. Enright
Abstract In previous work, a modified nitroxide-mediated miniemulsion polymerization was demonstrated in a continuous tubular reactor to prepare a latex of polystyrene homopolymer dispersed in water. There, the initial reaction step (low conversion bulk polymerization to prepare the macroinitiator) was done in a batch reactor while the miniemulsion polymerization step was done in a continuous tubular reactor. The present paper describes an extension of that work in which all the reaction steps have been achieved in the continuous tubular reactor. Chain extension of the polystyrene latex to give polystyrene- block -poly(butyl acrylate) diblock and polystyrene- block -poly(butyl acrylate)- block -polystyrene triblock copolymers is also described. [source]

Hybrid Miniemulsion Polymerization of Acrylate/Oil and Acrylate/Fatty Acid Systems

MACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2008
Juchen Guo
Abstract Acrylate,alkyd hybrid latex via miniemulsion polymerizations show promise as water-borne coating systems. However, poor homogeneity of the particles caused by the immiscibility of the alkyd in polyacrylate limits monomer conversion and film formation. To resolve this problem, the hybrid miniemulsion polymerization of acrylate in the presence of linoleic acid and sunflower seed oil was carried out. Products were characterized by solvent extraction, dynamic light scattering, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results provide clear evidence that substituting a fatty acid or natural oil with smaller molecular size (weight) for a conventional alkyd improves the grafting efficiency, and enhances the homogeneity of the hybrid polymer particles in water-borne latex systems. [source]

Miniemulsion polymerization of a fluorinated acrylate copolymer: Kinetic studies and nanolatex morphology characterization

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007
Qinghua Zhang
Abstract A stable fluoroacrylate copolymer emulsion was successfully prepared by miniemulsion polymerization with fluoroacrylate, lauryl methylacrylate, and methyl methacrylate as monomers. Extremely hydrophobic fluoroacrylate, instead of conventional cosurfactants, was used as a reactive cosurfactant to stabilize the miniemulsions. The results indicated that fluoroacrylate retarded Ostwald ripening and allowed the production of stable miniemulsions. The chemical compositions of the copolymer were studied with Fourier transform infrared and 1H-NMR. The average composition of the copolymers prepared with miniemulsions was in good agreement with the feed ratio according to 1H-NMR from the integration ratios corresponding to typical protons of the individual monomers. The particle size distribution and morphology of the latex particles were determined with laser particle analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The particle size of the latex underwent no change in the process of miniemulsion polymerization, but the particle size distributions were broader than those of conventional emulsion polymerization. The effects of various reaction parameters, including the temperature and concentrations of the emulsifier and initiator, on the miniemulsion polymerization were also investigated, and the polymerization rate and conversion increased with increasing concentrations of nonylphenol polyethoxylate (with an average of 40 ethylene oxide units per molecule), cetyltrimethylammonium, and 2,2,-azobisisobutyronitrile. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 641,647, 2007 [source]

High Breakdown Field Dielectric Elastomer Actuators Using Encapsulated Polyaniline as High Dielectric Constant Filler

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010
Martin Molberg
Abstract A novel method allowing rapid production of reliable composites with increased dielectric constant and high dielectric strength for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) is reported. The promising approach using composites of conductive particles and insulating polymers generally suffers from low breakdown fields when applied to DEA devices. The present publication shows how to overcome this deficiency by using conductive polyaniline (PANI) particles encapsulated into an insulating polymer shell prior to dispersion. PANI particles are encapsulated using miniemulsion polymerization (MP) of divinylbenzene (DVB). The encapsulation process is scaled up to approximately 20 g particles per batch. The resulting particles are used as high dielectric constant (,,) fillers. Composites in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix are prepared and the resulting films characterized by dielectric spectroscopy and tensile tests, and evaluated in electromechanical actuators. The composite films show a more than threefold increase in ,,, breakdown field strengths above 50 V ,m,1, and increased strain at break. These novel materials allow tuning the actuation strain or stress output and have potential as materials for energy harvesting. [source]

Miniemulsion polymerization of a fluorinated acrylate copolymer: Kinetic studies and nanolatex morphology characterization

Tailored composite polymer,metal nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization and thiol-ene functionalization

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 7 2010
Kim Y. van Berkel
Abstract A simple and modular synthetic approach, based on miniemulsion polymerization, has been developed for the fabrication of composite polymer,metal nanoparticle materials. The procedure produces well-defined composite structures consisting of gold, silver, or MnFe2O4 nanoparticles (,10 nm in diameter) encapsulated within larger spherical nanoparticles of poly(divinylbenzene) (,100 nm in diameter). This methodology readily permits the incorporation of multiple metal domains into a single polymeric particle, while still preserving the useful optical and magnetic properties of the metal nanoparticles. The morphology of the composite particles is retained upon increasing the inorganic content and also upon redispersion in organic solvents. Finally, the ability to tailor the surface chemistry of the composite nanoparticles and incorporate steric stabilizing groups using simple thiol-ene chemistry is demonstrated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1594,1606, 2010 [source]

Synthesis of PMMA- b -PBA block copolymer in homogeneous and miniemulsion systems by DPE controlled radical polymerization

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 17 2009
Ying-Da Luo
Abstract In this research, poly(methyl methacrylate)- b -poly(butyl acrylate) (PMMA- b -PBA) block copolymers were prepared by 1,1-diphenylethene (DPE) controlled radical polymerization in homogeneous and miniemulsion systems. First, monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA), initiator 2,2,-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and a control agent DPE were bulk polymerized to form the DPE-containing PMMA macroinitiator. Then the DPE-containing PMMA was heated in the presence of a second monomer BA, the block copolymer was synthesized successfully. The effects of solvent and polymerization methods (homogeneous polymerization or miniemulsion polymerization) on the reaction rate, controlled living character, molecular weight (Mn) and molecular weight distribution (PDI) of polymers throughout the polymerization were studied and discussed. The results showed that, increasing the amounts of solvent reduced the reaction rate and viscosity of the polymerization system. It allowed more activation,deactivation cycles to occur at a given conversion thus better controlled living character and narrower molecular weight distribution of polymers were demonstrated throughout the polymerization. Furthermore, the polymerization carried out in miniemulsion system exhibited higher reaction rate and better controlled living character than those in homogeneous system. It was attributed to the compartmentalization of growing radicals and the enhanced deactivation reaction of DPE controlled radical polymerization in miniemulsified droplets. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4435,4445, 2009 [source]

Copolymerizations of butyl methacrylate and fluorinated methacrylates via RAFT miniemulsion polymerization

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 22 2007
Tian-Ying Guo
Abstract Copolymerizations of n -butyl methacrylate (BMA) and fluoro-methacrylates (including 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate, HFBMA and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, TFEMA) were carried out via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer miniemulsion polymerization, using cumyl dithiobenzoate as a chain transfer agent. The experimental results show that the copolymerizations exhibit "living" fashion, with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities. The reactivity ratios of BMA and fluoromethacrylate in this kind of polymerization system were investigated by size exclusion chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance, from which the Q - and e -values of HFBMA and TFEMA were calculated. Compared with its corresponding non-fluoric methacrylate, fluorinated methacrylate exhibits higher resonance stability of the radical adducts. The Q -value of fluorinated methacrylate is higher (QBMA = 0.82 to QHFBMA = 1.70 and QEMA = 0.76 to QTFEMA = 1.01), and e -value is much larger (eBMA = 0.28 to eHFBMA = 1.24 to and eEMA = 0.17 to eTFEMA = 1.29) for its rather unique high electron-withdrawing inductive effect of the fluoroalkyl ester group. The thermal property and the wetting property of copolymers were also discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5067,5075, 2007 [source]

Synthesis of raspberry-like silica/polystyrene/silica multilayer hybrid particles via miniemulsion polymerization

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 6 2007
Xiaoguang Qiao
Abstract Organic,inorganic hybrid particles have many potential applications, but almost all research has been focused on hybrid particles with one kind of inorganic nanoparticle. This article presents a novel and facile preparation approach for raspberry-like silica/polystyrene/silica multilayer hybrid particles via miniemulsion polymerization. In this method, larger, surface-modified silica particles are first dispersed into monomer droplets to form a miniemulsion, and then raspberry-like silica/polystyrene/silica multilayer hybrid particles are directly obtained when miniemulsion polymerization is performed in the presence of smaller, unmodified silica particles with 4-vinylpyridine as an auxiliary monomer. Influential parameters such as the amount of 4-vinylpyridine, the surfactant concentration, and the pH value of the system have been investigated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1028,1037, 2007 [source]

Latices of poly(fluoroalkyl mathacrylate)- b -poly(butyl methacrylate) copolymers prepared via reversible addition,fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 3 2007
Xiaodong Zhou
Abstract Poly(fluoroalkyl mathacrylate)- block -poly(butyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer latices were synthesized by a two-step process. In the first step, a homopolymer end-capped with a dithiobenzoyl group [poly(fluoroalkyl mathacrylate) (PFAMA) or poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA)] was prepared in bulk via reversible addition,fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with 2-cyanoprop-2-yl dithiobenzoate as a RAFT agent. In the second step, the homopolymer chain-transfer agent (macro-CTA) was dissolved in the second monomer, mixed with a water phase containing a surfactant, and then ultrasonicated to form a miniemulsion. Subsequently, the RAFT-mediated miniemulsion polymerization of the second monomer (butyl methacrylate or fluoroalkyl mathacrylate) was carried out in the presence of the first block macro-CTA. The influence of the polymerization sequence of the two kinds of monomers on the colloidal stability and molecular weight distribution was investigated. Gel permeation chromatography analyses and particle size results indicated that using the PFAMA macro-CTA as the first block was better than using the PBMA RAFT agent with respect to the colloidal stability and the narrow molecular weight distribution of the F-copolymer latices. The F-copolymers were characterized with 1H NMR, 19F NMR, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Comparing the contact angle of a water droplet on a thin film formed by the fluorinated copolymer with that of PBMA, we found that for the diblock copolymers containing a fluorinated block, the surface energy decreased greatly, and the hydrophobicity increased. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 471,484, 2007 [source]

Nanoencapsulation of a hydrophobic compound by a miniemulsion polymerization process

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 9 2004
Yingwu Luo
Abstract The nanoencapsulation of hydrophobic compounds by miniemulsion polymerization, a convenient one-step encapsulation technique for nanocapsules, was investigated in terms of the thermodynamics and kinetics. The encapsulation was achieved by polymerization inducing phase separation within minidroplets dispersed in an aqueous phase. Thermodynamic factors (the level and type of surfactant, the level of the hydrophilic comonomer, and the monomer/paraffin ratio), kinetic factors (the level of the crosslinking agent or chain-transfer agent), and nucleation modes were all found to have a great influence on the latex morphology. Specifically, for a styrene/paraffin system, there were optimum levels of sodium dodecyl sulfate (1.0 wt %), the hydrophilic comonomer (1.0 wt % methyl acrylate acid), and the chain-transfer agent (0.2 wt % n -dodecanethiol) for obtaining well-defined nanocapsules of paraffin with a styrene/paraffin ratio of 1:1. When the styrene/paraffin ratio was reduced, however, it was more difficult to achieve a fully encapsulated particle morphology. Homogeneous nucleation could compete with encapsulation, and this resulted in a pure polymer particle and a half-moon morphology. Conditions were also found under which complete encapsulation could be observed with a water-soluble initiator (potassium persulfate), contrary to certain reports. Replacing potassium persulfate with an oil-soluble initiator (2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile) had little influence on the morphology under those conditions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2145,2154, 2004 [source]

Polycarbonate particles and dye-labeled particles by miniemulsion polymerization

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 8 2004
Frédéric Tronc
Abstract We describe the synthesis of several different polycarbonate particles by miniemulsion polymerization. The monomers were allylmethyl carbonate (AlMeC), di(ethylene glycol) bisallylcarbonate (DBAC), and 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one [vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC)]. For these polymerizations, higher monomer conversions were obtained with oil-soluble initiators (azobisisobutyronitrile and benzoyl peroxide) than with a water-soluble initiator (potassium persulfate). Benzoyl peroxide was particularly effective in yielding particles with a narrow size distribution. Although increasing amounts of a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) led to smaller particles, the choice of the monomer was the major determinant. For example, in polymerization reactions carried out at 85 °C with benzoyl peroxide as the initiator and with otherwise identical recipes, we obtained particle sizes of 181 nm with AlMeC, 296 nm with VEC, and 203 nm with DBAC. Fluorescent particles were synthesized with comonomers based on the benzothioxanthene nucleus. Because the dyes had poor solubility in the monomers, it was necessary to include typically 20 wt % bromobenzene or dichlorobenzene based on the monomer in the miniemulsion reaction mixture. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1999,2009, 2004 [source]

Controlled, radical reversible addition,fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization in high-surfactant-concentration ionic miniemulsions

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 4 2004
J. B. McLeary
Abstract Living free-radical polymerization of methacrylate and styrenic monomers with ionic surfactants was carried out with reversible addition,fragmentation chain transfer in miniemulsion with different surfactant types and concentrations. The previously reported problem of phase separation was found to be insignificant at higher surfactant concentrations, and control of the molar mass and polydispersity index was superior to that of published miniemulsion systems. Cationic and anionic surfactants were used to examine the validity of the argument that ionic surfactants interfere with transfer agents. Ionic surfactants were suitable for miniemulsion polymerization under certain conditions. The colloidal stability of the miniemulsions was consistent with the predictions of a specific model. The living character of the polymer that comprised the latex material was shown by its transformation into block copolymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 960,974, 2004 [source]

Fluorescent polymer particles by emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 6 2003
Frédéric Tronc
Abstract We describe the synthesis and characterization of latex particles labeled with a brightly fluorescent yellow dye (HY) based on the benzothioxanthene ring structure. Three dye derivatives were synthesized with different spacers connecting the HY nucleus to a methacrylate group. For one of the dyes (HY2CMA, rA), we show that the reactivity ratios with styrene (rA = 0.71, rB = 0.25) and butyl methacrylate (rA = 0.87, rB = 0.14) should lead to random dye incorporation if the amount of dye in the feed is small. Seeded emulsion polymerization fails to lead to significant dye incorporation unless large amounts of nonionic surfactant are present. In contrast, miniemulsion polymerization worked well to yield latex particles of polystyrene, poly(butyl methacrylate), and poly(methyl methacrylate) with high monomer conversion and essentially quantitative dye incorporation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 766,778, 2003 [source]

Bioinspired Mineralization of Inorganics from Aqueous Media Controlled by Synthetic Polymers

MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 2 2007
Katarzyna Gorna
Abstract The formation of inorganic structures in nature is commonly controlled by biogenic macromolecules. The understanding of mineralization phenomena and the nucleation and growth mechanisms involved is still a challenge in science but also of great industrial interest. This article focuses on the formation and mineralization of two archetypical inorganic materials: zinc oxide and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). Zinc oxide is selected as a model compound to investigate the role that polymers play in mineralization. Most of the effort has been devoted to the investigation of the effects of double-hydrophilic block and graft copolymers. Recent work has demonstrated that latex particles synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization, properly functionalized by various chemical groups, have similar effects to conventional block copolymers and are excellently suited for morphology control of ZnO crystals. Latex particles might serve as analogues of natural proteins in biomineralization. The second example presented, ACC, addresses the issue of whether this amorphous phase is an intermediate in the biomineralization of calcite, vaterite, or aragonite. Conditions under which amorphous calcium carbonate can be obtained as nanometer-sized spheres as a consequence of a liquid,liquid phase segregation are presented. Addition of specific block copolymers allows control of the particle size from the micrometer to the submicrometer length scale. The physical properties of novel materials synthesized from concentrated solution and their potential applications as a filler of polymers are also discussed. [source]

Kinetics of Miniemulsion Polymerization of Styrene in the Presence of Organoclays

Surviving Radicals: Promises of a Microwave Effect on Miniemulsion Polymerization for Technical Processes

Synthesis of High Solid-Content Latex using Alkali-Soluble Resin as Sole Surfactant

MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 22 2004
Marcelo do Amaral
Abstract Summary: A novel polymerization procedure to synthesize latex stabilized by alkali-soluble resin (ASR) is detailed. According to this process, latexes with a high solid content and low viscosity are obtained using a substantially lower amount of ASR when compared with existing techniques. Similar rewet properties were found for the latexes obtained by a standard process and for the one obtained by the process described in this work. Comparison of the particle size distributions obtained by conventional emulsion polymerization (,) and by miniemulsion polymerization (,). [source]

Nitroxide-Mediated Bulk and Miniemulsion Polymerization in a Continuous Tubular Reactor: Synthesis of Homo-, Di- and Triblock Copolymers

Hybrid Miniemulsion Polymerization of Acrylate/Oil and Acrylate/Fatty Acid Systems

(Mini)emulsion Polymerization: Effect of the Segregation Degree on Polymer Architecture

MACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2007
Iker González
Abstract A continuous loop reactor was used for the production of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylic acid (AA) pressure sensitive adhesive by both emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization. Similar high monomer conversions were achieved in both processes, but striking differences in polymer architecture were found. A mathematical model was used to analyze these differences concluding that because the costabilizer suppressed monomer diffusion from miniemulsion droplets, the average polymer concentration in the polymerization loci was lower in the miniemulsion process. This resulted in less chain transfer to polymer, and hence in lower sol molecular weight and gel content. [source]

Ultrasonically initiated miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles

POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2006
Guihua Qiu
Abstract Ultrasonically initiated miniemulsion polymerization of styrene was conducted in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Stable polystyrene (PS)/Fe3O4 nanocomposite emulsions were prepared and magnetic PS/Fe3O4 composite particles were obtained through magnetic separation. The whole procedure comprised two steps. First, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were dispersed in the monomer phase with the aid of stabilizer Span-80. Second, miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was carried out under an ultrasonic field in the absence of a chemical initiator. The affecting factors, including stabilizer concentration, surfactant concentration, hexadecane concentration and the amount of Fe3O4, were systematically studied. Stabilizer concentration, surfactant concentration and hexadecane concentration strongly affected the formation of the coagulation. The least amount of coagulation was formed at 2.5 wt% Span-80 concentration. The addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticles drastically increased the polymerization rate owing to the fact that Fe3O4 nanoparticles increased the acoustic intensity and Fe2+ reacted with H2O2 to produce hydroxyl radicals and increase the number of radicals. The increase in cosurfactant concentration and power output also increased the polymerization rate. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Hybrid Miniemulsion Polymerization of Acrylate/Oil and Acrylate/Fatty Acid Systems

RAFT Miniemulsion Polymerization Kinetics, 1 , Polymerization Rate

MACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 2 2009
Hidetaka Tobita
Abstract The polymerization kinetics of a RAFT-mediated radical polymerization inside submicron particles (30,<,Dp,<,300 nm) is considered. When the time fraction of active radical period, ,A, is larger than ca. 1%, the polymerization rate increases with reducing particle size, as for the cases of conventional emulsion polymerization. The rate retardation by the addition of RAFT agent occurs with or without intermediate termination in zero-one systems. For the particles with Dp,<,100 nm, the statistical variation of monomer concentration among particles may not be neglected. It was found that this monomer-concentration-variation (MCV) effect may slow down the polymerization rate. An analytical expression describing the MCV effect is proposed, which is valid for both RAFT and conventional miniemulsion polymerizations. [source]