Stable free radical miniemulsion polymerization

Stable emulsions of polystyrene have been prepared by nitroxide-mediated li ving-radical miniemulsion polymerization. Optimization of the ratios and am ounts of surfactant, cosurfactant, and nitroxide provided both good latex p roperties and good living-radical chemistry. Results were superior to those obtained in comparable bulk polymerizations. Conversions of 87% were obtai ned in 6 hours at 135 degrees C without the use of a rate accelerant and th e molecular weight distributions were typically in the 1.1 range.