An investigation into the mechanistic behaviour of RAFT-mediated miniemulsion polymerizations.

[摘要] Polymerization using the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process affords aresearcher control over the molecular weight and polydispersity of the final polymer. Research isbeing carried out globally, using heterogeneous RAFT systems, as these systems offer superiorindustrial possibilities. Many emulsion systems fail when incorporating RAFT agents due to phaseseparation and colloidal instability. Exchanging conventional emulsion polymerizations withpredispersed polymerization systems (i.e. miniemulsions) has shown many improvements. Evidenceof uncontrolled aqueous phase polymerization (i.e. not mediated by the RAFT process) has howeverbeen found. This behaviour is similar to polymerization in a conventional emulsion polymerizationsystem, but is not expected in miniemulsion polymerization.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University