Abstract
AbstractA mathematical model is developed from polymer solution thermodynamics and stable free radical polymerization kinetics to predict the monomer swelling behavior of large droplets and small particles that coexist during the seeded polymerization of styrene in emulsion. This model is used to predict the sensitivity of polymerized latex stability (based on the persistence of large particles) to changes in seed particle size and final latex target molecular weight. Simulation results show that the use of small seed particles (diameter ≤ 50 nm) in recipe formulation will lead to polymerization occurring preferentially in the large droplets, and offers theoretical evidence that TEMPO‐mediated ab initio emulsion polymerizations will not be feasible. Our predictions are consistent with experimental evidence suggesting that the presence of large particles leads to the formation of undesirable coagulum in the final product.magnified image
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