Synthesis of styrene butadiene copolymer via novel nanoemulsion based system

Abstract

Nanoemulsion polymerization is a novel process for the synthesis of specialtypurpose latexes. In this work, styrene and 1,4-butadiene polymerization are demonstrated through a nanoemulsion-based process. Conventional emulsifiers like rosin soap and fatty soaps are used to prepare base emulsions having 2-10 nm particle size through the sonication process. The high surface area and higher number of micelles allow superior mixing of monomers and initiators leading to more efficient and rapid reaction. Additionally, the use of nanoemulsion improves the efficiency and quality of emulsion with higher productivity. These latexes have unique high molecular weight polymers with smaller particle size which is the most desirable criterion for coating applications. Finally, nanoemulsion-based polymer is compared with conventional macroemulsion-based product.