ON THE INITIATION MECHANISM IN EMULSION POLYMERIZATION SYSTEMS

The problem of the locus of initiation in conventional emulsion polymerization is discussed on the basis of the literature survey (copolymer composition in the early stages of emulsion polymerization, particle size distribution). The idea of homogeneous nucleation of polymer particles even for non‐polar monomers is supported by recent studies of emulsion polymerization in the presence of oil‐soluble inhibitor. The method of the oil‐soluble inhibitor was also used for inverse emulsion polymerization systems. The studies have brought new experimental evidence for the locus of initiation in classical as well as in inverse emulsion polymerization systems. It seems now reasonable to accept the idea that in conventional emulsion polymerization systems the locus of initiation is the water phase. In inverse emulsion polymerization systems the results point to the phase boundary between the continuous phase and (oil‐soluble part of) inverse micelles as the main locus of initiation for the systems with oil‐soluble initiator. Copyright © 1990 Hüthig & Wepf Verlag