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Particle nucleation and growth mechanisms in miniemulsion polymerization of styrene
Author(s) -
Chern ChorngShyan,
Chang HungTe
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.1079
Subject(s) - miniemulsion , nucleation , emulsion polymerization , monomer , polymerization , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , styrene , materials science , particle (ecology) , polymer , methacrylate , aqueous solution , emulsion , chemistry , copolymer , organic chemistry , composite material , oceanography , engineering , geology
Styrene miniemulsion polymerizations stabilized by sodium lauryl sulfate in combination with a reactive costabilizer, lauryl methacrylate (LMA) or stearyl methacrylate (SMA), were studied. A small amount of extremely hydrophobic dye was incorporated into monomer droplets (10 2 nm in diameter) to investigate particle nucleation and growth mechanisms. In addition to monomer droplet nucleation, particle nuclei generated in the aqueous phase (homogeneous nucleation) also play an important role in both LMA‐ and SMA‐containing polymerization systems. The way that these two nucleation mechanisms compete with each other is closely related to the water solubility of the costabilizer (LMA > SMA). The fraction of latex particles originating from homogeneous nucleation increases with decreasing hydrophobicity of the costabilizer. Zeta potential data of latex particles and the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of emulsion polymers provide supporting evidence for the proposed competitive particle nucleation and growth mechanisms. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry