PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND USE IN EMULSION POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLATED ALKYL ETHOXYLATE SURFACE-ACTIVE MONOMERS

A range of commercially available alkyl ethoxylates with different hydrophobes and degrees of ethoxylation have been acrylated to produce structurally analogous polymerizable surfactants. The latter have been polymerized in water using a photochemical free radical initiating system to yield a mixture of linear soluble oligomer and crosslinked polymer. The starting amphiphiles, their acrylate derivatives and their soluble oligomers have been extensively characterized in terms of their molecular structure and their amphiphilic properties. The latter have been discussed in terms of the molecular structure of the series of molecules. Selected examples of the alkyl ethoxylates and their acrylate derivatives have been compared as sole emulsion stabilizers in the polymerization (separately) of styrene, methyl methacrylate and vinyl acetate. In general the conventional surfactants provide better stability, though both an acrylated derivative and its precursor surfactant perform well in styrene polymerizations. The effect of added electrolyte in flocculation studies confirms the superiority of the conventional surfactant. The results are discussed in terms of current colloid and emulsion polymerization theories and practice, and suggestions are made for the improved design of polymerizable amphiphiles.