Emulsion polymerization of vinyl chloride, 2 potassium persulfats decomposition in the presence of PVC latex

The decomposition rate of potassium persulfate (KPS) in aqueous solutions, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and poly(vinyl chloride) latex (PVC) was studied. The dissolved SDS increases the decomposition rate constant (k_d) while the SDS aggregation as micella and/or its adsorption on the polymer hydrophobic surface results in a decreasing k_d. The emulsifier - free surface of the polymer particles increases the decomposition rate. A reaction mechanism based on emulsifier - emulsifier and emulsifier - polymer hydrophobic interactions is put forward.