Forming a low molecular weight emulsion using polyacrylate, reaction stabilised with a hydrophobe and a catalytic chain transfer (cobaloxime) forming droplet size in the range of 30-120 nm

摘要

A method of forming a polymer comprising: a) forming a mini-emulsion including i) a vinylic or acrylic monomer, ii) a non-aqueous solution including a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, and iii) an aqueous solution; and b) reacting the mini-emulsion in the presence of an initiator for a time sufficient to form the polymer. The method is characterised in a separation of the chain transfer agent from a primary initiator radical by operating the chain transfer agent under polymerisation reaction under mini-emulsion conditions. The preferred embodiment describes the cobalt containing chain transfer agent being tetraphenyl cobaloxime boron fluoride (CoPhBF). A hydrophobe selected from alkanes and fatty alcohols is used to stabilise the formed mini-emulsion.