EMULSION POLYMERIZATION OF SUPERMICRON, MONODISPERSE ACRYLIC COPOLYMER PARTICLES WITH CORE-SHELL STRUCTURES

The emulsion polymerization of large MMA/BA copolymer particles with n arrow particle size distributions and core-shell structure is describe d. A series of sequential seeded growth emulsion polymerizations were used to obtain monodisperse particles with diameters of at least 3 mu m, at 30% solids contents. Because the core and shell polymers used he re were chemically similar, core-shell structures could not be verifie d by differential staining techniques. Core-shell structure was demons trated by minimum film-forming temperature studies and by scanning ele ctron microscopy in conjunction with energy dispersive x-ray analysis, using chlorine-labeled core polymers. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, I nc.