Mini Monomer Encapsulated Emulsion Polymerization of PMMA Using Aqueous ARGET ATRP.

A new emulsion polymerization based on Activators Regenerated by Electron Transfer Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ARGET ATRP) has been developed to produce poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The critical components of single-pot synthesis via a mini Monomer Encapsulated ARGET ATRP emulsion polymerization will be discussed. In this method, monomer is isolated in a micelle by pre-emulsification in a nonionic surfactant through high power stirring while acetone is introduced to the polymerization to aid in reactant transport and tetrabutylammonium salts are used as phase transfer agents. Polymerizations using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) were more controlled and demonstrated low Đ (Mw/Mn < 1.17), where those using tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) exhibited higher Đ (Mw/Mn > 1.50). First-order linear kinetics for MMA polymerizations at 100 mM TBAB was demonstrated, while the reactions deviated from linearity at higher concentrations of TBAB and all concentrations of TBAC.