Miniemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate with dodecyl mercaptan as cosurfactant

Abstract

Miniemulsions of methyl methacrylate with sodium lauryl sulfate as the surfactant and dodecyl mercaptan (DDM) as the cosurfactant (or hydrophobe) were prepared and polymerized. The emulsions were of a droplet size range common to miniemulsions and exhibited long-term stability (greater than 3 months). Results indicate that DDM retards Ostwald ripening and allows the production of stable miniemulsions. When these emulsions were initiated, particle formation occurred predominantly by monomer droplet nucleation. The effects of the concentration of surfactant, cosurfactant and initiator were determined. Rates of polymerization, monomer droplet sizes, polymer particle sizes, molecular weights of the polymer, and the effect of initiator concentration on the number of particles vary systematically in ways that indicate predominant droplet nucleation in these systems. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.