Synthesis and characterization of oxazoline-functional polymer particles by free radical nonaqueous dispersion polymerization

A novel oxazoline-functional methacrylate was prepared and employed as comonomer to produce nonaqueous dispersions of oxazoline-functional polymer particles. In nonaqueous free radical dispersion copolymerization of methylmethacrylate in the presence of oxazoline-functional methacrylate, ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate crosslinking agent, AIBN initiator, and polystyrene-block-poly(ethene-alt-propene) dispersing agent, the average polymer particle size, varying between 100 and 500 nm, was controlled by the dispersing agent contents. According to titration with HClO₄ all oxazoline groups regardless of their location at particle surface or bulk, were accessible. Glass transition temperature decreased from 120 to 0°C when oxazoline functional methacrylate was increased from 0 to 95 mol %. As imaged by atomic force microscopy incorporation of the new oxazoline-functional methacrylate improved film formation. Oxazoline-functional polymer particles were easy to redisperse in a variety of other diluents. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 2539–2548, 1997