Reactive surfactants in heterophase polymerization. XXV. Core–shell lattices stabilized with a mixture of maleic anionic and styrenic nonionic surfactants

Core–shell lattices with a polystyrene core and a polystyrene/butyl acrylate shell with more than 40% solid contents were produced using a combination of sodium dodecyl maleate hemiester as anionic surfactant and styrenic block copolymer of butylene oxide and ethylene oxide as nonionic surfactant. Stable lattices able to resist rather high concentrations of electrolytes can be obtained, provided a careful protocol of the addition of surfactants is used. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2251–2262, 1999     

Reactive surfactants in heterophase polymerization. VIII. Emulsion polymerization of alkyl sulfopropyl maleate polymerizable surfactants (surfmers) with styrene

The copolymerization of styrene with two polymerizable surfactants (surfmers) based on maleic acid (dodecyl sodium sulfopropyl maleate and tetradecyl sodium sulfopropyl maleate) was studied in batch emulsion polymerizations. The surfmer conversion was obtained by serum replacement with water and subsequent analysis of the recovered, unreacted surfmers with two-phase titration. It was found that both surfmers copolymerized well with styrene and their partial conversion was higher than that of styrene. These results are contradictory to what was found before in the literature using ultrafiltration with methanol, and the differences are explained on the basis of oligomer formation: The oligomers formed are detected if the latices are washed with methanol. It was found that at the end of the polymerization (almost complete conversion of both styrene and surfmer) only 45% of the surfmer groups were present on the particle surface, which is in agreement with a high conversion of the surfmer at the beginning of the reaction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 2561–2568, 1997     

Reactive surfactants in heterophase polymerization

The mechanism for the formation of polymer particles in the dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene in alcohol-water mixtures has been investigated. Methacrylic based poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers and poly(vinyl-pyrrolidone) have been used as steric stabilizers. Dynamic light scattering as well as transmission electron microscopy have been applied to determine the evolution of the average particle size at the beginning of the polymerization. Stable nuclei from 80 to 400 nm in diameter size were detected. The nucleation process was quite rapid and completed within less thanca. 0.1% monomer conversion. The experimental results are compared with those predicted by the multibin kinetics model for coalescence developed by Paine [(1990) Macromolecules 23: 3109].A series of publication from the EU program Human Capital and Mobility (CHRX CT 93-0159)     

Reactive surfactants in heterophase polymerization. Part XXII—incorporation of macromonomers used as stabilizers in styrene dispersion polymerization

The effect of several parameters on the incorporation yield of poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers at the surface of the particles, for the dispersion polymerization of styrene in ethanol–water mixtures, has been studied. The reactivity of the macromonomer is a key parameter in the mechanism of stabilization of the micrometer-size polymer particles, because it partly determines the amount and the composition of the copolymer stabilizer available at any moment during the process. The polarity of the reaction medium also strongly influences the polymerization process: higher incorporation yield and grafting density were obtained in medium of lower polarity. Besides, a chain length of around 50 ethylene oxide units for the macromonomer were needed to produce stable monodisperse particles with a significant incorporation yield. Thus, an incorporation yield as high as 53% and a grafting density corresponding to a surface area of 232 Ų/molecule have been obtained in a one-step process by using a methacrylate macromonomer. In an optimized two-step process resulting in monodisperse polymer particles, 80% incorporation yield with a very high grafting density (175 Ų/molecule) were reached. The particles with high grafting density (surface area lower than 600 Ų/molecule) could be transferred in water and exposed to a freeze–thaw cycle without massive flocculation, illustrating the efficiency of the steric stabilization. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactive surfactants in heterophase polymerization. Part XXI—kinetics of styrene dispersion polymerization stabilized with poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers

The kinetics of styrene dispersion polymerization, using poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers as precursors for the stabilization, has been studied. The conversions of both styrene and macromonomers have been determined. The effects of various parameters such as the polarity of the medium, the nature and the amount of macromonomer and the concentrations of the reactants have been studied. A strong gel effect was observed, the main polymerization process taking place inside the particles where the average number of radicals per particle may be more than a thousand. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling emulsion polymerization stabilized by polymerizable surfactants

A mathematical model for seeded emulsion polymerization stabilized with polymerizable surfactants (surfmers) was developed. The model accounts for the main features of the process and provides information about surfmer conversion as well as surfmer burying inside the polymer particles. The model was validated by comparing its predictions with the experimental results for the effect of particle size, surface properties of the surfmer, and type of initiator on surfmer conversion. The effect of surfmer reactivity on surfmer incorporation to the polymer backbone is also discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 585–595, 2001     

Macromolecular surfactants for miniemulsion polymerization

The use of polymeric surfactants as stabilizers in miniemulsion polymerization was reviewed. The structural characteristics of reported polymeric surfactants were detailed and compared. The concept of multi-functional polymeric surfactants was evidenced. The specificities brought by polymeric surfactants in the process of miniemulsion polymerization in comparison to molecular surfactants were analysed for the stability of the initial monomer emulsion, polymerization kinetics and characteristics of the obtained latexes. The contribution of polymeric surfactants to the control of the characteristics of the obtained nanoparticles was detailed with regard to the nature of the core material and to the surface coverage. Polymeric surfactants can be seen as powerful tools for the design of original nanoparticles. On the basis of the available data, possible research topics are suggested.     

Reactive surfactants in heterophase polymerization: Colloidal properties,film‐water absorption,and surfactant exudation

In this article the results obtained with latexes prepared by emulsion polymerization with a conventional surfactant and a polymerizable surfactant (surfmer) are presented. For this study, well‐defined styrene‐butylacrylate latexes with a conventional nonreactive surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and a maleate diester surfmer, of which films can be easily cast, were used. The latex with the surfmer was prepared following a surfmer addition strategy to maximize the amount of surfmer bound to the particle surface, and not buried in the particle interior. The latex properties in terms of mechanical stability, film‐water absorption, and film‐surfactant exudation were assessed and compared. The mechanical stability and water‐absorption properties of the latex prepared with surfmer were better than those of the latex with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Additionally, by using a surfmer the surfactant migration to the film‐substrate and film‐air interfaces can be inhibited. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2994–3000, 2002     

Synthesis of a novel series of polymerizable surfactants and application in emulsion polymerization

A series of polymerization surfactants (surfmers) was synthesized, whose structures combined the characteristics of polyoxyethylene as nonionic group and quaternary ammonium a as cationic group. The structures of the product were confirmed by MS, and the content of cationic‐activity matter was determined by two‐phase titration. The surfmers were then used with constant addition profiles in semicontinuous polymerization of vinyl acetate–butyl acrylate–Veova 10–hexafluorobutyl methacrylate, and the polydispersity indexes (PDI) were lower than 0.1. The particle size, amount of coagulum, and stability against electrolyte and freeze/thaw were evaluated. As a reference, an unreactive surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was also used for the polymerization. Compared to CTAB, the surfmers behaved much better. Not only stabilities to electrolyte and water resistance were improved, but also freeze/thaw stability got a superior performance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Miniemulsion polymerization initiated by L‐ascorbic acid and sulfonate/sulfate surfactants

Styrene miniemulsions that were stabilized by common anionic surfactants (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and disulfonated alkyl diphenyl oxide sodium salt) polymerized at 25 °C in the presence of L ‐ascorbic acid without the addition of a free‐radical initiator. The polymerizations exhibited high rates and molecular weights, with conversions greater than 70% achieved in less than 1 h and weight‐average molecular weights greater than 1 × 10⁶ g/mol. Polymers did not form in the absence of L ‐ascorbic acid. Although the final conversion was only slightly independent on the L ‐ascorbic acid concentration, it was dependent on the surfactant concentration. The rate and final conversion were also strongly dependent on the surfactant type. Moreover, it was possible to initiate polymerizations with a monomer‐soluble derivative of L ‐ascorbic acid (L ‐ascorbic acid 6‐palmitate), although the rates were dramatically reduced compared with those when water‐soluble L ‐ascorbic acid was used. High yields and high‐molecular‐weight polymers were also produced with butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate with L ‐ascorbic acid in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. The initiation was attributed to an interaction between the surfactant and L ‐ascorbic acid, which formed a redox initiation system that generated radicals capable of adding monomer. These results are of particular significance for redox‐initiated emulsion/miniemulsion polymerizations with L ‐ascorbic acid as the reducing agent and with sulfate or sulfonate surfactants. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 69–80, 2007     

Hemiesters and hemiamides of maleic and succinic acid: synthesis and application of surfactants in emulsion polymerization with styrene and butyl acrylate

Hemiesters and hemiamides of maleic acid with different chain lengths of the hydrophobic alkyl group (R = C₈H₁₇, C₁₀H₂₁, C₁₂H₂₅, C₁₆H₃₃) have been synthesized and used as surfactants in the emulsion polymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate. The same polymerization experiments were also carried out using nonreactive surfactants with an analogous succinic structure. The chemical structure of the surfactants was confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. The melting point and critical micelle concentration of the reactive surfactants described herein were measured. All of the surfactants studied provided good stability of styrene/butyl acrylate latexes, when compared with a reference latex of a styrene/butyl acrylate copolymer prepared with a surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate. The amount of surfactant grafted onto the particles of the final latex was estimated by conductimetric titration. Between 33 and 68% of surfactant used in emulsion polymerization was found on the surface of latex particles. Electrolyte addition at high concentration and freeze/thaw cycle cause flocculation of latexes. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Control of surfactant level in starve-fed emulsion polymerization. I. Sulfate-containing oligomers: Preparation and application as surfactant in emulsion polymerization

It is well known that the amount of surfactant must be carefully controlled during starve-fed emulsion polymerization processes. Too little surfactant leads to emulsion instability and coagulation, while too much surfactant leads to secondary particle formation. Although these relationships are qualitatively understood in the art, there is little quantitative basis to guide the synthetic chemist, especially in multistep starve-fed emulsion polymerization processes to make larger supermicron particles. We have developed a method, which will be described in a companion article, to control the surfactant level by monitoring the surface tension during polymerization. In order to quantitatively predict how much surfactant to add at any given time, one needs to know in advance the adsorption characteristics of the soap. Further complicating the matter is the formation of “in situ” or oligomeric surfactant during polymerization with aqueous initiators such as ammonium persulfate. This work demonstrates how to prepare surface-active oligomers and how to make latex particles using them as surfactant. First, we established the mass balance for the initiator-derived sulfate groups in seed latexes by conductometric, potentiometric, and iodometric titrations. Based on the characterization of seed latexes, a method for determining the effective sulfate concentration has been developed. When surface-active oligomers were used as the only surfactant, we obtained a series of monodisperse, supermicron copolymer latex particles with diameters up to 3.22 μm. This is a similar result to that obtained with a commercially made anionic surfactant. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of surfactants on the morphology of composite polymer particles produced by two‐stage seeded emulsion polymerization

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–polystyrene (PS) composite polymer particles were synthesized in the presence of a surfactant by two‐stage seeded emulsion polymerization. The first stage was the synthesis of PMMA particles by soapless emulsion polymerization; the second stage was the synthesis of the PMMA–PS composite polymer particles with the PMMA particles as seeds. In the second stage of the reaction, three kinds of surfactants—sodium laurate sulfate (SLS), polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), and sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20)—were used to synthesize the PMMA–PS composite particles. Both the properties and concentrations of the surfactants influenced the morphology of the composite particles significantly. Core–shell composite particles, with PS as the shell and PMMA as the core, were synthesized in the presence of a low concentration of the hydrophilic surfactant SLS. This result was the same as that in the absence of the surfactant. However, a low concentration of Tween 20 led to composite particles with a core/strawberry‐like shell morphology; the core region was a PS phase, and the strawberry‐like shell was a PS phase dispersed in a PMMA phase. With an increase in the concentration of SLS, the morphology of the composite particles changed from core (PMMA)–shell (PS) to core (PS)–shell (PMMA). Moreover, the effects of a high concentration of Tween 20 or Span 20 on the morphology of the PMMA–PS composite particles were investigated in this study. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2224–2236, 2005     

Polymeric surfactants in latex technology: polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers as stabilizers in emulsion polymerization

Polystyrene–poly(ethylene oxide) PS–PEO di- and triblock copolymers have been used as stabilizers in the emulsion polymerization of styrene and styrene–butylacrylate for the preparation of “hairy latexes”. The polymerization kinetics and the efficiency of these polymeric surfactants were correlated with the molecular characteristics of the block copolymer. It was shown that the efficiency decreased with increasing molecular weight and PS content of the block copolymer. The PEO frige, with a thickness of 4–25 nm, on the latex particle surface could be characterized and it was shown by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that water is strucured in that PEO layer. Film formation with “hairy latexes” was also examined both by DSC and thermomechanical analysis. The properties and application possibilities, such as in controlled latex flocculation, have been reviewed.     

Fluorocarbon polymerizable surfactants: viscometric behavior, micellar polymerization and interactions with associating polymers

 The micellar aggregation of two fluorocarbon surfactants bearing a polymerizable acrylamido group and differing only in the degree of amido substitution (CONH or CONC₂H₅) has been investigated by viscometry. The two surfactants exhibit distinct solution properties with a micellar growth occurring at a much lower concentration for the N-monosubstituted sample which shows in addition a shear thickening and rheopectic behavior. The ability of the latter surfactant to form hydrogen bonding is responsible for this difference in behavior. Micellar copolymerization of acrylamide with these surfactants or with a hydrocarbon analogue gives copolymers with a polysoap-like behavior. The copolymers in aqueous solution show a pronounced intramolecular hydrophobic aggregation expressed by relatively low-viscosity values when compared with those of other hydrophobically modified water-soluble polymers reported in the literature. Surfactant–polymer mixed systems do not show a strong incompatibility between fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon moieties. Received: 24 March 1998 Accepted: 30 June 1998     

Surface active azogroup-containing polymers and their use in emulsion polymerization

Polymeric azoinitiators have been obtained by the acidcatalyzed polyreaction of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) with tetraethylene glycol (TEG) and 1.6-hexanediol resp. The kinetics of decomposition of these polyazoesters were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) resulting in an activation energy of E_a=124.5 KJ/mol and a frequency factor of A= 3.6 · 10¹⁴ sec^–1.The polyazoesters were used to initiate radical polymerization of acrylamide limiting the decomposition of the initiator to 37%. The resulting polyacrylamides containing azogroups had molecular weights between 50 000 and 250 000 g/mol. They are surface active polymers having a critical micell concentration of 0.1 to 0.3 g./l. By use of these polyacrylamides as an emulsifying initiator system stable emulsions of polymers were obtained without additional use of a tenside. Polymethacrylic acid containing azogroups can be used as well as an emulsifying initiator.The latex particles are stabilized by a solvated shell of a polymer. Thus it is possible to obtain stable emulsions in organic solvents by use of an azogroup-containing prepolymer which is soluble in that solvent. An emulsion of polyacrylamide in methanol ohtained by use of an azogroup-containing polyvinylacetate is an example.Dedicated to Professor F. H. Müller.Thanks are due to Dr. R. Menhold, Bayer AG, Leverkusen for performing the electronmicroscopic investigations. Financial support by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Fonds der Chemischen Industrie is gratefully acknowledged.     

Novel Peroxide Containing Maleinate Surface-Active Monomers for Obtaining Reactive Polymers

Novel surface-active monomers were synthesized by successive treatment of tert-butylperoxy-6-hydroxyhexanoate with maleic anhydride, 1,3-propane sultone and triethylamine or with maleic anhydride and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether. The surface-active properties of monomers were studied. The critical micelle concentrations (cmc) as well as the surface tension at the cmc were determined for obtained monomers. The synthesized compounds were shown to be suitable reactive surfactants for obtaining styrene latexes.     

New antibacterial cationic surfactants prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization

Efficient antibacterial surfactants have been prepared by the quaternization of the amino groups of poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate] (PEB‐b‐PDMAEMA) diblock copolymers by octyl bromide. The diblock copolymers have been synthesized by ATRP of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA) initiated by an activated bromide‐end‐capped poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene). In the presence of CuBr, 1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyl‐triethylenetetramine (HMTETA), and toluene at 50 °C, the initiation is slow in comparison with propagation. This situation has been improved by the substitution of CuCl for CuBr, all the other conditions being the same. Finally, the addition of an excess of CuCl₂ (deactivator) to the CuCl/HMTETA catalyst is very beneficial in making the agreement between the theoretical and experimental number‐average molecular weights excellent. The antibacterial activity of PEB‐b‐PDMAEMA quaternized by octyl bromide has been assessed against bacteria and is comparable to the activity of a commonly used disinfectant, that is, benzalkonium chloride. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1214‐1224, 2006     

由可控聚合反应直接制备不同形貌的聚集体

由可控聚合,包括活性阴离子和自由基聚合直接制备不同形貌纳米材料,是近几年来合成化学领域的一个重要研究成果.与两亲性嵌段共聚物在选择性溶剂中自组装方法不同,在选择性溶剂中进行的分散聚合,首先生成两亲性嵌段共聚物,并逐渐增加第二段聚合物的链长,以实现相分离,形成球形胶束;聚合物链继续增长,实现形貌转变,从而制备预期的聚合物形貌,包括球形胶束、纳米棒、纳米线、囊泡和复合囊泡等.本文综述了乳液聚合法制备球形胶束等形貌;描述了不同聚合体系形成的形貌以及它们的性质和应用,讨论了形貌的形成机理和控制方法,同时指出了存在的问题.