A new ion-pair catalyst for (mini)emulsion atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is presented. The ion-pair complex controlled a (mini)emulsion ATRP from both the inside and the interface of monomer droplets, allowing for the preparation of complex polymeric architectures with only part per billion (ppb) of residual copper. Conditions for <i>ab-initio</i> emulsion ATRP are discussed: initiation occurred exclusively in the continuous aqueous phase, followed by micellar nucleation. Size and rheology of droplets were tuned by changing type of surfactant and polymerization initiator.

<i>Ab-initio</i> emulsion ATRP by interfacial and ion-pair catalysis

255th National Meeting (2018)

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Ab-initio emulsion ATRP by interfacial and ion-pair catalysis