Suspension Polymerization of Styrene Monomer without Emulsifier and Initiator

Abstract

Ultrasonic waves were used to perform suspension polymerization of styrene monomer in the absence of both emulsifier (surfactant) and polymerization initiator. Styrene monomer was ultrasonically dispersed as oil droplets at 40 kHz after being added dropwise into water. Polymerization of the monomer in the droplets was initiated with the radical species from water as the polymerization initiator generated by irradiation with a high frequency ultrasonic wave at 200 kHz on the surfactant-free (styrene monomer/water) emulsion. The particles thus prepared were confirmed to be polystyrene particles by FT-IR measurements and the particle size was found to be several tens nanometers through TEM observation and dynamic light scattering measurement. © 2003, Japan Oil Chemists' Society. All rights reserved.