POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE IN A SWOLLEN LAMELLAR MESOPHASE

Polymerization of acrylamide in a liquid-crystalline phase swollen by large amounts of oil and water and showing long-range smectic order has been investigated. The macroscopic properties of the systems during polymerization were followed by viscometry, turbidimetry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. The microscopic structures were analysed by small-angle X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. Polymerization of acrylamide transformed the initial lamellar phase to an isotropic, clear and stable microlatex formed of water-swollen polymer particles dispersed in the oil. This result was accounted for by the monomer acting as co-surfactant at the interface and the large-scale undulations of the flexible lamellae. © 1990.