Miniemulsification of Monomer-Resin Hybrid Systems

Abstract

Miniemulsion polymerization is particularly well suited to synthesize hybrid nanocomposites. The first stage in this process is to prepare hybrid monomer−resin nanodroplets by miniemulsification. In this work, the efficiencies of several homogenization equipment (rotor−stator, sonicator, and high-pressure homogenizer) were compared. For the most efficient one, the effect of homogenization conditions, type of resin, emulsifier concentration, and viscosity of the organic phase on the size of the composite droplets was investigated. The results agreed well with a two-step mechanism in series involving droplet breakup and coalescence.