Novel polymerizable surfactants: Synthesis and application in the emulsion polymerization of styrene

Abstract

A series of anionic maleic surfactants were synthesized, and their chemical structures were characterized by NMR. The synthesized surfmers were then used in emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of potassium persulfate as an initiator. The polymerization kinetics were investigated, and the obtained latex particles were characterized in terms of particle size and size distribution. The results obtained were compared with the emulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of an SDS surfactant. The influences of the nature and concentration of surfmers on polymerization conversion and particle size in particular were investigated and discussed. ©The Society of Polymer Science, Japan (SPSJ) All rights reserved.