ABSTRACT:The effects of a series of short chain alcohols, 1-butanol (C 4 OH), 1-pentanol (C 5 OH), and 1-hexanol (C 6 OH), on the styrene (ST) emulsion polymerization mechanisms and kinetics were investigated. The CMC of the ST emulsions stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) first decreases rapidly and then levels off when the C i OH (i ϭ 4, 5, or 6) concentration ([C i OH]) increases from 0 to 72 mM. Furthermore, at constant [C i OH], the CMC data in decreasing order is CMC (C 4 OH) Ͼ CMC (C 5 OH) Ͼ CMC (C 6 OH). The effects of C i OH (i ϭ 4, 5, and 6) on the ST emulsion polymerization stabilized by 6 mM SDS are significant. This is attributed to the reduction in CMC by C i OH, the different oil-water interfacial properties, the different concentrations of monomer within latex particles, and the different effectiveness of SDS/C i OH in stabilizing latex particles.