Small particle size in emulsion polymerization using non-ionic stabilisers

Macromonomer with styrenic polymerizable group was synthetized by anionic p olymerization of ethylene oxide initiated by a mixture of potassium p- and m-vinylbenzyl alcoholate. The corresponding alcohol was prepared by modifie d two-step method described by Bamford et al. (Polymer 1973;14:330) using v inylbenzyl chloride as a starting material. Emulsion polymerization of styr ene was carried out in the presence of either a styrenic macromonomer of po ly(ethylene oxide) or conventional surfactants ethoxylated alkylphenol. Ln all cases small particle size of less than 75 nm in diameter were produced. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.