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Modification of emulsion polymerizations with microemulsions of mercaptans
Author(s) -
Uraneck C. A.,
Clark E.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1981.070260110
Subject(s) - microemulsion , reactivity (psychology) , emulsion , emulsion polymerization , copolymer , styrene , chemistry , polymerization , polymer chemistry , monomer , organic chemistry , chemical engineering , polymer , pulmonary surfactant , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering
Microemulsions of dodecyl and higher mercaptans are easily prepared with common surfactants and alkanol cosurfactants readily available in the emulsion polymerization industry. The reactivity of the microemulsified heavy mercaptan is greatly enhanced when properly prepared and charged. The regulating index of tert ‐hexadecyl mercaptan for a styrene–butadiene copolymerization (SBR) can be increased from 0.3 for the control to over 10 for the microemulsified modifier. Several ways of varying the reactivity of the modifier over a considerable range are presented. This article also presents solutions to some of the problems that arise in the preparation and use of the microemulsions. Applications of microemulsified mercaptans to modification of standard emulsion polymerizations are included. This method of enhancing the reactivity of modifiers is more practical than the preagitation technique previously reported. 1