The effect of the purity of ingredients,oxygen, and inorganic particulate dispersion on the course of styrene emulsion polymerization

A study of the effects of ingredients on styrene emulsion polymerization kinetics showed that the purity of sodium dodecyl sulfate emulsifier affected the rate of polymerization (R_p) in the absence of added initiator. Below a critical concentration oxygen accelerated the R_p; above the critical concentration it inhibited the R_p. The effect of distilling styrene, compared to washing it with alkali to deinhibit, was minimal. Indications are that particulate dispersions of silica and titanium dioxide are encapsulated in situ by the growing polymer chains during styrene emulsion polymerization.