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Molecular Watchmaking: ab initio Emulsion Polymerization by RAFT‐controlled Self‐assembly
Author(s) -
Sprong Ewan,
Leswin Joost S.K.,
Lamb David J.,
Ferguson Christopher J.,
Hawkett Brian S.,
Pham Binh T.T.,
Nguyen Duc,
Such Christopher H.,
Serelis Algirdas K.,
Gilbert Robert G.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200590028
Subject(s) - emulsion polymerization , polymerization , raft , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , polymer , materials science , chain transfer , polymer chemistry , molar mass distribution , radical polymerization , nucleation , chemical engineering , emulsion , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
Controlled radical polymerization using RAFT has the potential to make polymers with virtually any desired molecular architecture. For this to be implemented on an industrial scale, it must be performed by polymerization in disperse media. However, simply adding a RAFT agent to a conventional emulsion polymerization recipe leads to a loss of molecular weight control and formation of coagulum, probably because of nucleation in droplets, which is normally an unlikely phenomenon in emulsion polymerizations. Recently, a method has been devised for implementing RAFT in ab initio emulsion polymerization that avoids droplets in the particle formation stage. The molecular weight distribution of the polymer thus formed shows that molecular weight control is maintained throughout the polymerization. A model is developed to predict the particle size formed in this new type of emulsion polymerization. The new methodology enables synthesis of novel dispersions where molecular architecture can be precisely controlled, such as structured core‐shell particles.