The effect of initial initiator concentration on the average particle size and polymerization kinetics in the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate

Abstract

Emulsion polymerization of Vinyl Acetate employing different I:M ratios were performed at 60°C and a fixed surfactant concentration to investigate the effect of the initiator concentration on particle size and the order of polymerization with respect to [7]. The polymerization rate at the onset of the particle growth stage exhibited an order with respect to [1] of 0.9514, suggesting that the polymerization may have progressed via solution and 2:100 as the [] was increased. The minimum was attributed to the varying degrees of emulsion based pathways. A minimum in the average particle size was observed at an I:M of contribution by two competing factors; a reduction in particle size with an increase of [7], and the advent of particle coagulation throughout the course of a given reaction.