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Particle Formation in RAFT‐Mediated Emulsion Polymerization: A Calorimetric Study
Author(s) -
Leswin J. S. K.,
Meuldijk J.,
Gilbert R. G.,
van Herk A. M.
Publication year - 2009
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.200950103
Subject(s) - emulsion polymerization , raft , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , polymerization , radical polymerization , polymer chemistry , acrylate , monomer , butyl acrylate , chain transfer , materials science , styrene , chemistry , chemical engineering , copolymer , organic chemistry , polymer , engineering
Abstract Ab initio RAFT‐mediated semi‐continuous emulsion polymerizations with controlled monomer feed have been studied by reaction calorimetry. This online monitoring technique provided detailed information about the onset of the nucleation period in semi‐batch processes for emulsion polymerization of styrene and n‐butyl acrylate. The reactions were carried out under controlled radical polymerization conditions by employing amphipathic macro‐RAFT agents of various degrees of surface activity. For n‐butyl acrylate as well as for styrene the more surface active polymeric macro‐RAFT agents led to higher initial polymerization rates. Polymerizations with hydrophobic macro‐RAFT agents also adapted more quickly to an increased monomer feed than polymerizations with hydrophilic macro‐RAFT agents.This points to the presence of more particles when a hydrophobic macro‐RAFT agent is used. Hydrophobic macro‐RAFT agents demonstrated to be promising for producing latex products with a proper control of particle number and particle size distribution.