PARTICLE FORMATION IN EMULSION POLYMERIZATION - PARTICLE NUMBER AT STEADY-STATE

The number of particles formed in batch emulsion polymerization over wide ranges of emulsifier and initiator concentration has been investigated by computer simulation with a mathematical model developed previously. The influence of particle coagulation is also considered. The results show that, at low emulsifier concentration, the steady-state particle number NS is governed by homogeneous nucleation so that NS increases slowly with increasing emulsifier concentration [S]. In this range NS increases with increasing monomer polarity. The steep rise in NS with emulsifier concentration after [S] exceeds a critical value suggests a transition from homogeneous nucleation domination to micelle nucleation.