Methacrylic acid‐based amphiphilic block‐random copolymer stabilizers for emulsion polymerization

The emulsion polymerization of styrene was investigated using polystyrene-b-[polystyrene-r-poly(methacrylic acid)] amphiphilic block-random copolymers (BRCs) different compositions as stabilizers. These stabilizers with molar masses <20,000 g/mol, which possess unique dispersion behaviour (i.e., self-assembly low aggregation numbers) when dissolved in aqueous medium at alkaline pH, were prepared by the nitroxide-mediated bulk to achieve a desired mass followed chain extension batchwise addition and methacrylic acid monomers obtain stabilizing group. Emulsion polymerizations stabilized these BRCs yielded stable latexes particle diameters that range between 30 150 nm. When concentrations stabilizer (2–3.5 mM) utilized for styrene, similar novel mechanism observed previously our group acrylic-acid based also seen, further validating difference this class polymeric surfactants conventional small molecule surfactants, block copolymers, or alkali soluble resins. performance methacrylic-acid more efficient higher surface coverage polystyrene compared result hydrophobic nature former.