Emulsion polymerisation stabilised by block-random copolymers: ultra-small particles at low stabiliser levels

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate-r-acrylic acid) block-random copolymers were used as stabilisers in the semi-batch emulsion polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA). By adjusting the pH, nano-latexes with particle sizes ∼30–200 nm were obtained using a surprisingly low stabiliser content (∼0.01 wt% based on monomer).