Evolution of the water-monomer dynamic interfacial properties during methyl methacrylate radical polymerization in a single monomer droplet: dependence on the chemical structure of the surfactant

• Published in: Polymer international Vol. 62; no. 11; pp. 1617 - 1623
• Main Authors: Belbekhouche, Sabrina, Hamaide, Thierry, Dulong, Virginie, Picton, Luc, Le Cerf, Didier, Desbrières, Jacques
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.11.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical Sciences; dynamic surface tension; Exact sciences and technology; interface; interfacial rheology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; polymer surfactant; Polymerization; Polymers; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; radical polymerization; Structure effect; Interface tension; Non ionic surfactant; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Surfactant polymer; Experimental study; interface; radical polymerization; Interface properties; Triblock copolymer; Free radical polymerization; Emulsion polymerization; Cyclic ether copolymer; Poloxamer; Surface properties; Oside polymer; Propylene oxide copolymer; Surface tension; interfacial rheology; polymer surfactant; Block copolymer; Monitoring; Amphiphilic polymer; dynamic surface tension
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.4458

This paper deals with the monitoring of the methyl methacrylate (MMA) droplet interface during its polymerization in one single monomer droplet by using a drop tensiometer. The droplet is stabilized by various molecular and polymer surfactants, in particular Pluronic® F68 and pullulan‐block‐Jeffamine®. The polymerization in one single droplet of the tensiometer can be seen as a way to study the interface of polymer nanoparticles during a mini‐emulsion polymerization assuming the concept of a perfect nanoreactor. It was found that the experimental results (surface tension and interfacial rheology) can be connected with MMA radical polymerization. These results demonstrate that the drop tensiometer technique enables interface evolution to be followed during polymer polymerization. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry The polymerization in one single droplet of the tensiometer is a way to study the interface of polymer nanoparticles during a miniemulsion polymerization assuming the concept of perfect nanoreactor.