Effect of varying hydrophobic monomers and their copolymerization in surfactant-free emulsion polymerizations using a macro-RAFT agent

The influence of different hydrophobic monomers on the morphology, surface charge and kinetics has been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential and gravimetry in a surfactant-free emulsion polymerization (SFEP). The monomers chosen were styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA), and their effect in SFEP using a hydrophilic macro-RAFT agent is reported here. Colloidal particles of polystyrene showed a spherical morphology while colloidal particles of PMMA were observed with an oval structure. The kinetics studies by gravimetry showed that MMA led to a faster polymerization compared to styrene. Copolymerization studies were done by polymerizing both the St and MMA monomers together.