Core-shell poly(styrene/sulfonated N-hydroxy ethyl aniline) latex particles prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization in emulsion polymerization

The kinetic behavior of emulsion polymerizations of styrene in the presence of sulfonated N-hydroxy ethyl aniline (SHEA) was investigated with two initiators: 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and potassium persulfate (KPS). SHEA was synthesized using a stepwise polyurethane reaction method from 3-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonic acid sodium salt, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and N-(2-hydroxyethyl) aniline. Stable core-shell poly(styrene/sulfonated N-hydroxy ethyl aniline, St/SHEA) latex particles were successfully prepared by using an appropriate amount of AIBN, in which SHEA plays the role of 'surfmer', i.e., acting as both a surfactant in the emulsion polymerization and a monomer in the chemical oxidative polymerization. The kinetic behavior was dissimilar to that of typical emulsion polymerization systems. A long inhibition period and low rate of polymerization were observed due to radical loss by the oxidative polymerization of SHEA. It was concluded, due to the low water-solubility of AIBN and retardation reaction by SHEA, that the initial loci of polymerization were monomer droplets. However, growing polymer particles as polymerization loci became predominant as polymerization proceeded. It was suggested that AIBN was more effective than KPS in the preparation of the core-shell type poly(St/SHEA) latex particles. With KPS, no substantial polymerization was observed in any of the samples.