STYRENE POLYMERIZATION IN 3-COMPONENT CATIONIC MICROEMULSIONS

The polymerization of styrene in three-component dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) microemulsions is reported. The structure of the unpolymerized microemulsions, determined by conductim-etry and quasielastic light scattering (QLS), is consistent with styrene-swollen micelles in equilibrium with regular micelles, both dispersed in an aqueous phase. Polymerization of these transparent microemulsions, monitored by QLS and dilatometry, produced stable, bluish monodisperse microlatices with particle radii ranging from 20 to 30 nm, depending on styrene content. Polymerization initiation appears to occur in the styrene-swollen micelles, and the polymer particles grow by recruiting monomer and surfactant from uninitiated droplets and small micelles. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.