Interfacial characteristics of oligomeric molecules plays an important role in emulsion polymerization. For example, surfactants and dispersions are used to stabilize latex particles during and after emulsion polymerization. Water soluble initiator radical needs to react with monomer in the aqueous phase until they reach a composition where they become surface active, either leading to particle nucleation, or adsorbed onto a pre-existing particle to carry out the intended chain propagation.<br/>In this study, a model emulsion polymerization system was established to generate oligomers with various compositions and chain lengths. We have determined the interfacial properties of oligomeric species using liquid chromatography and linked the interfacial behavior to the oligomer composition obtained by mass spectrometry. By correlating elution times to known alkyl sulfate surfactant standards we have been able to quantify the hydrophobicity or surface activity of the water soluble oligomeric species.<br/>Serum phase chemistry was also explored in this study to understand the formation of aqueous oligomer through emulsion polymerization process.

Understanding of aqueous oligomers formed during emulsion polymerization and their interfacial behavior via LC-MS

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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