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Differences between ab initio emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization of styrene mediated by an alkenyl-functionalized amphiphilic RAFT agent

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Abstract

An alkenyl (butene)-functionalized amphiphilic macromolecular reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (macro-RAFT) agent was designed as both surfactant and polymerization mediator for ab initio emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization of styrene (St), intending to synthesize polymer nanoparticles with alkenyl-enriched surfaces. However, the pendent alkenyl units exhibited unexpectedly higher reactivity in ab initio emulsion polymerization than they did in solution polymerization. Their copolymerization with St resulted in depletion of alkenyl groups, positive deviation of molecular weights, broad molecular weight distributions, and limiting conversions. Miniemulsion polymerization was superior to ab initio emulsion polymerization in its ability to prepare alkenyl-functionalized nanoparticles. Consumption of alkenyl groups happened, but only within the nucleation period. In spite of positive deviation of molecular weights and broad molecular weight distributions, the final particles were characteristics of alkenyl functionalities confined to the particle surfaces. Thus, PSt nanoparticles with alkenyl-enriched surface were obtained via miniemulsion polymerization.

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Acknowledgments

This project is financially supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LY18E030008, LY16B060006, LY15E030013 and LY12E03008), the Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province (2016C31074, 2017C31033).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering Research Center for Eco-Dyeing and Finishing of Textiles, Hangzhou, China

    Lei Yang, Jie Yin, Qiangqiang Zhao, Zhihua Cui, Yifeng Shen & Yu Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Textiles, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China

    Lei Yang, Qiangqiang Zhao, Zhihua Cui & Yifeng Shen

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  1. Lei Yang
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  2. Jie Yin
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Correspondence to Lei Yang.

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Yang, L., Yin, J., Zhao, Q. et al. Differences between ab initio emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization of styrene mediated by an alkenyl-functionalized amphiphilic RAFT agent. Colloid Polym Sci 296, 1615–1625 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-018-4386-8

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