PARTICLE NUCLEATION USING DIFFERENT INITIATORS IN THE MINIEMULSION POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE

Abstract In miniemulsion polymerization, droplet nucleation is the key factor to ensure the production of polymer particles with a desired composition. The influence of the initiation on droplet nucleation is conflicting and it has not been completely considered. The result of employing different initiator systems on the nucleation mechanism and kinetics in the polymerization of stable styrene/polystyrene miniemulsions with varied droplet size is discussed here. The initiation systems employed provide all combinations between the phase (aqueous or organic) where initiation mainly occurs and th...