Large-scale and narrow dispersed latex formation in batch emulsion polymerization of styrene in methanol–water solution

This work is an extension of previous research results reported by our team (Colloid Polym Sci 291:2385–2389, 2013), where monodisperse, large-scale, and high-solid-content latexes of poly(n-butyl acrylate) were obtained with the particle coagulation method induced by the electrolyte. However, large-scale polystyrene latex particle is difficult to synthesize with this approach; moreover, demulsification phenomena easily take place especially in high solid content. In this article, a new approach to prepare large-scale polystyrene latex particle was proposed. Methanol was added to aqueous phases to decrease the interfacial tension between the polymer particle surface and continual phases, further decreasing interfacial free energy. Consequently, the surfactant molecules would loosely pack on the polymer particle surface, which is favored by particle coagulation. Experimental investigations showed that the final polystyrene particle scale only reaches to 93.5 nm when the methanol/water ratio is equal to 0:100, but the particle size attains 270 nm when the methanol/water ratio is equal to 30:70. These results indicated that polystyrene particle coagulation can be induced by methanol by varying the surfactant molecule adsorption on the particle surface. This investigation also provided a new simple approach to prepare large-scale, stable latex particles.     

Influence of monomer type on miniemulsion polymerization systems stabilized by graphene oxide as sole surfactant

Based on a recent report [J. Polym. Sci. Part A. Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 47–58] whereby we demonstrated the synthesis of polystyrene nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization stabilized by graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets as sole surfactant, we hereby report the synthesis of hybrid polymer nanoparticles of several members of the (meth)acrylate family as well as the cross‐linker divinylbenzene via the same approach. The nature of the resultant emulsion is strongly linked to the polarity of the monomer used; monomers with a relatively small polar component (based on Hansen solubility parameters) such as lauryl methacrylate and benzyl methacrylate, in addition to styrene, generate stable emulsions that can be effectively polymerized. Particularly polar monomers (e.g., methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate) formed kinetically stable emulsions in the presence of GO, however rapid coagulation occurred during polymerization. Electron microscopy analysis reveals the formation of polymer nanoparticles with size distribution between 200 and 1000 nm with roughened surface morphologies, indicative of GO sheets adsorbed at the interface. The results of this work demonstrate the applicability of this synthetic route for specific monomers in the preparation of novel graphene‐based polymeric materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 5153–5162     

Further insight into the mechanism of poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) microsphere formation

Polymeric microspheres have been used in a broad range of applications from chromatographic separation techniques to analysis of air flow over aerodynamic surfaces. The preparation of microspheres from many polymer families has consequently been extensively studied using a variety of synthetic approaches. Although there are a myriad of polymeric microsphere synthesis methods, free‐radical initiated emulsion polymerization is one of the most common techniques. In this work, poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) microspheres were synthesized via surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization. The effects of co‐monomer composition and addition time on particle size distribution, particle formation, and particle morphology were investigated. Particles were characterized using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy to gain further insight into particle size and size distributions. Reaction kinetics were analyzed through consideration of characterization results. A particle formation mechanism for poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) microspheres was proposed based on characterization results and known reaction kinetics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2249–2259     

Synthesis and characterization of silica/poly (methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite latex particles through emulsion polymerization using a cationic azo initiator

Following a previous work (J. L. Luna-Xavier et al., Colloid Polym. Sci.279, 947 (2001)), silica-poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite latex particles have been synthesized in emulsion polymerization using a cationic initiator, 2,2'-azobis (isobutyramidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA), and a nonionic polyoxyethylenic surfactant (NP30). Silica beads with diameters of 68, 230, and 340 nm, respectively, were used as the seed. Coating of the silica particles with PMMA was taking place in situ during polymerization, resulting in the formation of colloidal nanocomposites with a raspberry-like or a core-shell morphology, depending on the size and nature of the silica beads. The amount of surface polymer was quantified by means of ultracentrifugation and thermogravimetric analysis as extensively described in the first article of the series (see above reference). The influence of some determinant parameters such as the pH of the suspension, the initiator, silica, monomer, or surfactant concentration on the amount of coating polymer and on the efficiency of the coating reaction was investigated in details and discussed in light of the physicochemical properties of the seed mineral. Electrostatic attraction between the positive end groups of the macromolecules and the inorganic surface proved to be the driving force of the polymer assembly on the seed surface at high pH, while polymerization in adsorbed surfactant bilayers (so-called admicellar polymerization) appeared to be the predominant mechanism of coating at lower pH. Optimal conditions have been found to reach high encapsulation efficiencies and to obtain a regular polymer layer around silica.     

Preparation of PEGMA-functionalized latex particles. 2. System styrene/<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylcaprolactam

In a previous paper [Pich A, Lu Y, Adler H-J (2003) Colloid Polym Sci (submitted)], the synthesis of polystyrene-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PST/PEGMA) particles has been described. In the present paper polymeric particles have been prepared by emulsion co-polymerization of styrene/N-vinylcaprolactam (ST/VCL) or styrene/n-butylacrylate (ST/BA) mixtures in presence of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA). The influence of the monomer composition and PEGMA concentration on the particle size and particle size distribution was studied. Increase of VCL content in reaction mixture leads to dramatic increase of the final particle size. Particle size distribution becomes broader at higher VCL contents. Poly(ST/VCL) particles show dramatic change of the size with the temperature.     

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     

Emulsion polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate using a hydrophobically modified inulin and comparison with other surfactants

The use of a new class of graft polymer surfactants, based on inulin, in emulsion polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) particles is described. PS and PMMA were synthesized by emulsion polymerization, and stable particles with a high monomer content (50 wt %) were obtained with a very small amount of polymeric surfactant ([surfactant]/[monomer] = 0.0033). The latex dispersions were characterized by dynamic light scattering and by transmission electron microscopy to obtain the average particle size and the polydispersity index, and the stability was determined by turbidimetry measurements and expressed in terms of critical coagulation concentration. The last section gives a comparison of PMMA particles prepared by emulsion polymerization using classical surfactants from different types as emulsifiers with that obtained using the copolymer surfactant. It shows the superiority of INUTEC SP1 as it is the only one that allows stable particles at 20 wt % monomer content, with a smaller ratio [surfactant]/[monomer] = 0.002.     

Copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a comonomer with spiroacetal moiety

The study reports the synthesis of a copolymer based on 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 3,9‐divinyl‐2,4,8,10‐tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane (U) acquired through radical polymerization in the presence of 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionitrile). The attempt was to have a solid content as high as 10 wt %. The polymerization process was conducted in the presence of a classic ionic surfactant—sodium lauryl sulfate—and comparatively using two variants of protective colloid β‐cyclodextrin and poly(aspartic acid), respectively. The prepared dispersions were characterized from the viewpoint of their hydrodynamic radius, zeta potential, and conductivity evolution during syntheses. The mean particle size and size distribution and zeta potential and conductivity were also evaluated for the synthesized polymeric particles. The compositions of the polymers were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra, and also, the thermal stability of the polymeric compounds was evaluated. SEM and AFM investigations of the polymer morphology are also presented. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of TiO2–SiO2/polymer core–shell microspheres with a microphase‐inversion method

A novel microphase‐inversion method was proposed for the preparation of TiO₂–SiO₂/poly(methyl methacrylate) core–shell nanocomposite particles. The inorganic–polymer nanocomposites were first synthesized via a free‐radical copolymerization in a tetrahydrofuran solution, and the poor solvent was added slowly to induce the microphase separation of the nanocomposite and result in the formation of nanoparticles. The average particle sizes of the microspheres ranged from 70 to 1000 nm, depending on the reaction conditions. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicated a core–shell morphology for the obtained microspheres. Thermogravimetric analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed that the surface of the nanocomposite microspheres was polymer‐rich, and this was consistent with the core–shell morphology. The influence of the synthetic conditions, such as the inorganic composition and the content of the crosslinking monomer, on the particle properties was studied in detail. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3911–3920, 2006     

Synthesis of polymeric core–shell particles using surface‐initiated living free‐radical polymerization

An easy and novel approach to the synthesis of functionalized nanostructured polymeric particles is reported. The surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of the crosslinking reagent 2‐ethyl‐2‐(hydroxy methyl)‐1,3‐propanediol trimethacrylate was used to in situ crosslink colloid micelles to produce stable, crosslinked polymeric particles (diameter size ～ 100–300 nm). A functionalized methacrylate monomer, 2‐methacryloxyethyl‐2′‐bromoisobutyrate, containing a dormant atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) living free‐radical initiator, which is termed an inimer (initiator/monomer), was added to the solution during the polymerization to functionalize the surface of the particles with ATRP initiator groups. The surface‐initiated ATRP of different monomers was then carried out to produce core–shell‐type polymeric nanostructures. This versatile technique can be easily employed for the design of a wide variety of polymeric shells surrounding a crosslinked core while keeping good control over the sizes of the nanostructures. The particles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and Raman spectroscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1575–1584, 2007     

Miniemulsion polymerization of styrene with a block copolymer surfactant

A series of miniemulsion systems based on styrene/azobisisobutyronitrile in the presence of poly(methyl methacrylate‐b‐2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) as a surfactant and hexadecane (HD) as a cosurfactant were developed. For comparison, a series of pseudoconventional emulsions also were carried out with the same procedure used for the aforementioned series but without the cosurfactant (HD). Both the droplet size and shelf life were also measured. Experimental results indicate that it is possible to slow the effect of Ostwald ripening and thereby produce a stable miniemulsion with the block copolymer as the surfactant and HD as the cosurfactant. In addition, the extent to which varying the surfactant concentration and copolymer composition could affect both the polymer particle size during the polymerization and the polymerization rate was examined. Variation in the polymer particle sizes during polymerization indicates that droplet and aqueous (micellar or both homogeneous) nucleation occurs in the miniemulsion polymerization. With the same concentration of the surfactant used in the miniemulsion polymerization, the polymerization rates of systems with M₁₂B₃₆ are faster than those of systems with M₁₂B₁₂. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1818–1827, 2000     

Influence of polymer particle size on the percolation threshold of electrically conductive latex‐based composites

Monodispersed copolymer emulsions, each with a different polymer particle size, were used to investigate the effect of particle size on the electrical and thermomechanical properties of carbon black (CB)‐filled segregated network composites. These emulsions were synthesized with equal moles of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, with latex particle size ranging from 83 to 771 nm. The electrical percolation threshold was found to decrease from 2.7 to 1.1 vol % CB as the latex particle size was increased. Microstructural images reveal diminished latex coalescence, and improved CB segregation, with increasing latex particle size. In general, coalescence is shown to increase for all systems with increasing CB concentration. Furthermore, all systems exhibited a similar maximum electrical conductivity plateau of 0.7 S cm^?1, albeit at lower concentration for larger latex particle size. This ability to tailor percolation threshold with latex particle size provides an important tool for manipulating electrical and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1547–1554, 2011     

High‐efficiency impact modifier prepared by coagulation emulsion polymerization through internal voiding toughening mechanism

This paper was an application of our previous study on particle coagulation mechanism (Colloid Polym Sci 291: 2385‐2398, 2013), and the effect of coagulation particle of acrylic impact modifiers (ACR) on polymer blend properties was investigated. The compatibility was relevant with the properties of shell phase rather than the structure of core phase. The rubber content was found to be the main influencing factor for toughening when rubber content less than 5%. However, when it reached to 7%, the dispersion of rubber became the primary parameter to dominate the toughness. The highest impact strength of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) toughened by coagulation particles was 1656 J/m, nearly 56 times than pure PVC, whereas only 45 times was reached when toughening by traditional ACR prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization; moreover, the brittle–ductile transition happened in advanced of 2 phr at ACR content. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the shear yielding of the matrix and rubber cavitation were the major toughening mechanisms. Furthermore, the high performance of blend responsible for coagulation particles was discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Directional Self‐Assembly of Fluorinated Star Block Polymer Thin Films Using Mixed Solvent Vapor Annealing

We demonstrate the directional alignment of perpendicular‐lamellae domains in fluorinated three‐armed star block polymer (BP) thin films using solvent vapor annealing with shear stress. The control of orientation and alignment was accomplished without any substrate surface modification. Additionally, three‐armed star poly(methyl methacrylate‐block‐styrene) [PMMA‐PS] and poly(octafluoropentyl methacrylate‐block‐styrene) were compared to their linear analogues to examine the impact of fluorine content and star architecture on self‐assembled BP feature sizes and interdomain density profiles. X‐ray reflectometry results indicated that the star BP molecular architecture increased the effective polymer segregation strength and could possibly facilitate reduced polymer domain spacings, which are useful in next‐generation nanolithographic applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 1663–1672     

Synthesis and curing of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) nanoparticles

Glycidyl‐functional polymer nanoparticles [poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA)] were fabricated with microemulsion polymerization. The successful fabrication of PGMA nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A TEM image showed that the average diameter of the PGMA nanoparticles was approximately 10–28 nm and was fairly monodisperse. As the surfactant concentration increased, the average size of the nanoparticles decreased and approached an asymptotic value. A significant reduction of the nanoparticle size to the nanometer scale led to an enhanced number of surface functionalities, which played an important role in the curing reaction. The PGMA nanoparticles were cured with a low‐temperature curing agent, diethylene triamine, to produce ultrafine thermoset nanoparticles. The low‐temperature curing process was performed below the glass‐transition temperature of PGMA to prevent the coagulation and deformation of the nanoparticles. A TEM image indicated that the cured PGMA nanoparticles did not exhibit interparticle aggregation and morphological transformation during curing. The average size of the cured PGMA nanoparticles was consistent with that of the pristine PGMA nanoparticles © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2258–2265, 2005     

Uniform polymer in synthetic polymer chemistry

The preparation of uniform polymers and their use in fundamental polymer chemistry are reviewed. A typical method of preparation is a combination of living polymerization and supercritical fluid chromatography separation. Synthetic uniform polymers allow us to solve ambiguous problems in polymer chemistry due to molecular weight distribution and are of significant importance for studies on structure–property relationships. A close inspection of an isotactic uniform chloral oligomer with a symmetrical chemical structure reveals that oligomers are the first examples of stable atropisomers of aldehyde oligomers and that their chiroptical properties are due only to their helical geometries. A molecular-level understanding of the mechanism and stoichiometry of the association process of polymer molecules is possible only with uniform polymers, and stereocomplex formation between isotactic and syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate)s in acetone has vigorously been studied by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and NMR. End-functionalized uniform polymers have enabled us to prepare uniform polymer architectures, such as block, graft, comb, and star polymers. A uniform stereoblock poly(methyl methacrylate) with an isotactic (methyl methacrylate)₄₆-syndiotactic (methyl methacrylate)₄₆ structure shows a single SEC peak in chloroform but three peaks in acetone, which are ascribable to intermolecularly and intramolecularly associated complexes and nonassociated molecules. A three-arm star polymer with one isotactic chain and two syndiotactic chains shows a peculiar SEC behavior in acetone due to a braid type of intramolecular stereocomplex formation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 416–431, 2004     

Structures and thermal properties of chitosan-modified poly(methyl methacrylate)

The emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of chitosan with potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator was examined in a previous article. The free radicals that dissociated from KPS not only initiated the polymerization but also degraded the chitosan molecules. Therefore, in addition to its role as a cationic surfactant, chitosan also participated in the polymerization reaction. When the polymerization was complete, the latex polymer consisted of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer and chitosan–PMMA copolymer. In this article, the structures and thermal properties of latex polymers are examined. Gel permeation chromatography was used to measure the molecular weight of the PMMA homopolymer, with the copolymer composition determined by an elemental analyzer. Scanning and transmission electronic microscopes were used to measure the size of latex particles from different reaction systems. The surface charges of latex particles at several different pH values were determined by the measurement of the ζ potential. All results agreed with the reaction mechanism proposed in the previous article. Finally, the presence of rigid chitosan increased the glass-transition temperature of the final latex polymers. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degradation behavior of latex polymers was similar to the unzipping mechanism of PMMA, yet the presence of chitosan units hindered the unzipping of the main chains in chitosan–PMMA copolymers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1646–1655, 2001     

GHD室温自交联乳液的聚合及贮存稳定性

采用半连续种子乳液聚合技术合成了含甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)、甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯(HEMA)和甲基丙烯酸二甲氨基乙酯(DMAEMA)的室温自交联乳液(GHD).实验结果表明,在甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)-丙烯酸丁酯(BA)-GMA种子乳液存在下,聚合温度升高,聚合过程稳定性下降,但乳液的贮存稳定性提高;乳化单体滴加速度加快,种子聚合物的玻璃化温度升高,可减少聚合过程的交联凝聚作用,提高聚合过程的稳定性;而HEMA和DMAEMA用量增加对聚合过程的稳定性没有明显影响,但使乳液的贮存稳定性下降.官能团间的交联凝聚作用可能是影响室温自交联乳液聚合及贮存过程稳定性的关键因素.     

The production of high polymer to surfactant microlatexes

Starved‐feed microemulsion polymerization of styrene was investigated. The influence of the type (SDS or Dowfax 2A1) and concentration of anionic surfactant on the final particle size of latex made by the polymerization of microemulsions of styrene was studied. In addition, the influence of 1‐pentanol and acrylic acid as cosurfactants was examined. Latexes with 20% solids content and polymer to surfactant ratio of 22 were produced, with a particle diameter of 42 nm and very low polydispersity indexes. Smaller particles are produced using SDS than Dowfax 2A1 for the same weight fraction of surfactant; however, similar particle sizes were obtained with the same molar concentrations of SDS and Dowfax 2A1. Further shot additions of monomer increased solids level as high as 40% and polymer to surfactant ratios greater than 40, with particles remaining monodisperse with average diameter smaller than 60 nm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 48–54, 2010