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Extended mechanistic description of particle growth in electrosterically stabilized emulsion polymerization systems

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 08:45 authored by Stuart ThickettStuart Thickett, Gaborieau, M, Gilbert, RG
Polymeric (steric and electrosteric) stabilizers, based on water-soluble polymers such as poly(acrylic acid) and poly(ethylene oxide), are widely used to make surface coatings by emulsion polymerization and form a “hairy layer” which provides colloidal stability to the latex particles. It is shown by a combination of NMR and rate studies that the growth of these polymer colloids is dominated by a hitherto unsuspected combination of mechanisms:  an abstraction reaction in the “hairy layer” which results in a radical on the water-soluble polymer which is slow to propagate but quick to terminate (Macromolecules 2006, 39, 6495−6504) and can also undergo β-scission reactions. Termination with radicals which would otherwise lead to particle growth leads to radical loss, i.e., a slower polymerization rate, while β-scission leads to radicals which can enter the water phase and cause secondary particle formation. Both of these effects are undesirable from a manufacturing point of view, and the newly discovered mechanism could be used to mitigate these undesirable features.

History

Publication title

Macromolecules

Volume

40

Issue

13

Pagination

4710-4720

ISSN

0024-9297

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Amer Chemical Soc

Place of publication

1155 16Th St, Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20036

Rights statement

Copyright 2007 American Chemical Society

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences

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