Emulsion copolymerization monomer using interfacial of butyl acrylate withcationic redox initiator system

The polymerization kinetics of butyl acrylate/[2-(methacryloyoxy)ethyl]trim ethyl ammonium chloride (BA/MAETAC) macroemulsion and miniemulsion copolyme rizations was investigated with cumene hydroperoxide/tetraethylenepentamine as a redox initiator system. The postulate of an interfacial copolymerizat ion with the two-component redox initiator system (one hydrophobic and the other hydrophilic) was confirmed. Adding MAETAC had a complex effect on the polymerization kinetics of BA. The influence was ascribed to variations in the nucleation mechanism, which were dependent on the level of MAETAC, and the polymerization method (macroemulsion vs miniemulsion). It was proposed that at the beginning of a macroemulsion copolymerization with high MAETAC composition the micellar copolymerization occurred, which controlled the n ucleation process. The hydration properties of the latex were used to chara cterize the copolymer composition. The composition of the copolymer from th e interfacial polymerization was very heterogeneous. The copolymer composit ion was lower in BA when there was an increase in BA conversion or the part icle size. Adding salt increased the MAETAC content and decreased the BA co ntent in the copolymer. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.