Starved Semi-Batch Emulsion Polymerization for Polystyrene Nanolatexes Preparation With n-Pentanol as Cosurfactant

Abstract

In the starved semi-batch emulsion polymerization, the n-pentanol was predissolved in the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution as cosurfactant, for the purpose of polystyrene nanolatexes preparation. The effects of styrene (St) monomer feeding rate, n-pentanol dosage and SDS concentration on the monomer conversion (total and instantaneous conversions), the latex particles size (average volume diameter, dv) and the latex particles number in a unit volume (Np) were discussed. The function of n-pentanol not only debased the surface tension of the SDS solution, but also formed the smaller nanolatex particles size. With the 1.5 wt% n-pentanol dosage, 0.8 wt% SDS concentration and 6.0 mL/h St feeding rate for 6 h, the dv and Np of the final latex particles were 45.1 nm and 8.52×1015/ mL, respectively. The final latex solid content was 24.1%. All results were original and available compared to the state of the art.