Photoinitiated Polymerization of Styrene in Microemulsions

摘要

Photoinitiated polymerization of styrene in oil/water microemulsions has been successfully performed by using dibenzyl ketone (DBK) as initiator. The system remains transparent during the whole polymerization process. The molecular weights of polymers produced are in the order of 100,000, and the polydispersity indexes (PDI) are in the range 1.6-212. The particle sizes of the latexes produced are in the range 30-60 nm, with polydispersity indexes 1.05-1.08. The degree of polymerization (DP) and the rate of polymerization (RP) were studied as a function of initiator concentration the mechanism of polymerization in microemulsions is discussed on the basis of polymerization rate and particle size. Keywords: Polymerization; Styrene; Microemulsions; Dibenzyl ketone; Monomers; Latex.