PREPARATION OF POLY(HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE) AND POLY(HYDROXYPROPYLMETHACRYLATE) LATICES

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxypropyl methacrylate (both having extremely high solubilities in water) were polymerized in aqueous medi um to obtain the respective polymer latices with a solid content as hi gh as 10 wt.-%. The initial state of the polymerization is in solution rather than in dispersion, and the polymer product is sparingly solub le in the aqueous phase. The polymerization was carefully controlled t o avoid forming hydrogel by using an oil soluble initiator and a mixtu re of sodium dodecyl sulfate and poly(vinyl alcohol). Solubilities of both monomers and polymers in water were also investigated.