The mechanism of polymerisation of butyl cyanoacrylate in aqueous dispersions

Butyl cyanoacrylate has been polymerised by dispersion in acidified water t o yield nanoparticles. Reactions have been carried out at various temperatu res and the molecular weight of the growing polymer measured. In all cases polymerisation proceeds by generation of discrete populations of oligomers, which are then re-initiated and undergo further growth. The peak molecular weight is around 1300 g/mol and it is considered that a stepwise initiatio n, termination and re-initiation process continues until diffusionally limi ted by the internal viscosity within the nanoparticle.