Retention of structure in microemulsion polymerization: formation of nanolatices.
Polymerization of styrene-in-water microemulsions by photoinitiation using the initiator 2,2'-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone (DMPA) produces small nanolatices of the same size as the parent microemulsion (radius = 24-31 angstroms). This behavior is distinct from previously applied methods where significant particle growth accompanies the polymerization reaction. NMR measurements confirmed that polymerization is complete in under an hour and small-angle neutron scattering established the microemulsion structure before and after polymerization. The approach may be of more general application where retention of structure is sought in microemulsion-based polymer templating procedures.
Steytler
David C
DC
School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, U.K. d.steytler@uea.ac
Gurgel
Alexandre
A
Ohly
Robert
R
Jung
Martin
M
Heenan
Richard K
RK