Summary: Particle formation and growth in the batch emulsion homo‐polymerisation of styrene and methyl methacrylate monomers under diffusion‐controlled conditions were studied. The polymerisations started with two stratified layers of a monomer and water containing an initiator and a surfactant, with the water layer being gently stirred. Because of limitations in monomer transport, the rate of particle growth was substantially reduced and as a result a large number of polymer particles formed.
Schematic presentation of the highly diffusion‐controlled polymerisation.
