Effect of a bi‐unsaturated monomer on the emulsion polymerization of ethyl acrylate

Abstract

AbstractThe emulsion polymerization and copolymerization of ethyl acrylate with a bi‐unsaturated comonomer (divinylbenzene, 1,6‐hexamethylene diacrylate), present in small proportions, in the presence of anionic emulsifier sodium dodecyl sulfate have been kinetically investigated at 60°C under batch conditions by gas chromatograhy and gravimetric methods. The rate of polymerization in interval 2 was found to be proportional to the 0,37, 0,23, and 0,5 power of the emulsifier concentration for the system A (ethyl acrylate), the system B (ethyl acrylatedivinylbenzene), and the system C (ethyl acrylate/1,6‐hexamethylene diacrylate). Divinylbenzene was found to decrease both the rate of polymerization and the polymer particle size. Addition of 1,6‐hexamethylene diacrylate slightly increases both the rate of polymerization and the polymer particle size.