Emulsion copolymerization of styrene with monomeric emulsifiers

Monomeric emulsifiers with different copolymerization reactivities were used as stabilizers in emulsion polymerization of styrene initiated by 2,2′ azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). A significant change in emulsifier function was observed between equal micellar concentrations of surface-active sodium sulfopropyl alkyl maleates and the corresponding sodium sulfopropyl dodecyl fumarate. In the presence of less reactive maleates, copolymerization mainly occurs in the interface of the monomer swollen particles, while copolymerization with the fumarate in the first period of emulsion polymerization leads to polyelectrolyte formation in the water phase.