On the role of an unconventional rigid rodlike cationic surfactant on the styrene emulsion polymerization. Kinetics, particle size and particle size distribution

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 44; no. 19; pp. 5541 - 5546
• Main Authors: Zaragoza-Contreras, Erasto Armando, Navarro-Rodrı́guez, Dámaso
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Copolymerization; Emulsion polymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Particle size distribution; Physicochemistry of polymers; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Styrene; Emulsion polymerization; Particle size distribution; Styrene; Oil water emulsion; Iminium compounds; Cationic surfactant; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Pyridine derivatives; Free radical polymerization; Biphenyl derivatives; Concentration effect; Styrene polymer; Kinetics
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/S0032-3861(03)00621-9

An unconventional amphiphile (1-[ω-(4′-methoxy-4-biphenylyloxy)octyl]pyridinium bromide, PC8) was used as surfactant in the emulsion polymerization of styrene. At low surfactant concentration (6, 12 or 36 mmol l−1), curves of polymerization rate versus conversion obeyed the typical behavior characterized by intervals I, II and III. However, at high concentration (48 or 72 mmol l−1) the interval II was not observed. The particle size distribution curves showed two families of polymer particles, indicating the participation of at least two mechanisms of particle formation, one being the simple micellar nucleation and the other probably the coagulative nucleation of precursor particles. The latter was considered to occur during the nucleation interval.