Preparation of high molecular weight poly(vinyl alcohol) with high yield by emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate using 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride

To prepare high molecular weight (HMW) poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with high yield and high linearity as a precursor of HMW poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), vinyl acetate (VAc) was emulsion polymerized using, azo initiator, 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). This was compared with the polymerization using potassium peroxodisulfate (KPS) as an initiator at various polymerization conditions. PVA, having a maximum number average degree of polymerization (P_n) of 3500 was obtained by the saponification of PVAc with P_n of 13,000–14,000, degree of branching (DB) for the acetyl group of about 3.4–3.5, and a maximum conversion of VAc into PVAc of 95%, which was polymerized by AAPH. These numerical values were superior compared with 14,500–15,000 of P_n of PVAc, obtained by KPS, and 3100 of maximum P_n of resulting PVA, DB of about 3.7–3.8, and maximum conversion of 90%. From the foregoing experimental results, we found that AAPH was a more efficient initiator than KPS in increasing both conversion of PVAc and molecular weight of PVA. In addition, PVAc microspheres, obtained by these emulsion polymerizations, can be converted to PVA / PVAc shell / core microspheres through a series of surface‐saponifications, maintaining their spherical morphology. Various surface morphologies, such as flat or wrinkled and swellable or nonswellable ones formed by the various molecular parameters and saponification conditions, were examined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2356–2362, 2004     

Synthesis of random and block copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate by RAFT miniemulsion polymerizations mediated by a fluorinated xanthate

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer miniemulsion (co)polymerizations of vinyl acetate (VAc) and vinyl chloride (VC) are conducted in the presence of a fluorinated xthanate (X1). VAc miniemulsion polymerization can be well controlled by X1, and PVAc with small polydispersity index (PDI, <1.20) are obtained. X1 also shows well mediative effect to VC‐VAc miniemulsion copolymerization, while the PDI of VC‐VAc copolymer is greater than that of PVAc since a chain transfer rate to VC is greater than that to VAc. PVAc‐b‐PVC copolymers are synthesized by VC miniemulsion polymerizations mediated by X1‐terminated PVAc. PDIs of PVAc‐b‐PVC copolymers are greater than that of PVAc and VC‐VAc random copolymers with close monomer compositions, and increase with the increase of VC conversion. This is caused by the increased chain transfer to monomer and the formation of monomer‐rich and polymer‐rich phases during the VC polymerization stage. As‐prepared PVAc‐b‐PVC copolymers exhibit a micro‐phase separated morphology. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45074.     

Preparation of high‐molecular‐weight poly(vinyl alcohol) with high yield by solution polymerization of vinyl acetate in methanol using 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanovaleric acid)

Vinyl acetate (VAc) was solution‐polymerized at 40°C and 50°C using 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanovaleric acid) (ACVA) as an initiator and methanol as a solvent, and effects of polymerization temperature and initiator concentration were investigated in terms of conversion of VAc into poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc), degree of branching (DB) for acetyl group of PVAc, and molecular weights of PVAc and resulting poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) obtained by saponifying with sodium hydroxide. Slower polymerization rate by adopting ACVA and lower viscosity by methanol proved to be efficient in obtaining linear high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) PVAc with high conversion and HMW PVA. PVA having maximum number–average degree of polymerization (P_n) of 4300 could be prepared by the saponification of PVAc having maximum P_n of 7900 polymerized using ACVA concentration of 2 × 10^?5 mol/mol of VAc at 40°C. Moreover, low DB of below 1 could be obtained in ACVA system, nevertheless of general polymerization temperatures of 40°C and 50°C. This suggests an easy way for producing HMW PVA with high yield by conventional solution polymerization without using special methods such as low‐temperature cooling or irradiation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl PolymSci 102: 4831–4834, 2006     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of poly(vinyl acetate)‐ and poly(vinyl alcohol)‐grafted chitosan

Graft copolymers of chitosan and vinyl acetate were synthesized by free radical technique using cerium (IV) as the initiator. Under controlled conditions, as much as 92% grafting with a grafting yield of 30–40% could be achieved. Chitosan‐g‐poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers were derived by the alkaline hydrolysis of the chitosan‐g‐poly(vinyl acetate) precursor. Thermogravimetric, FTIR, and X‐ray diffraction analyses of chitosan and the copolymers confirmed the grafting reaction between chitosan and vinyl acetate and also the subsequent hydrolysis. Both the copolymers possessed very good film‐forming properties. Grafting resulted in a significant increase in mechanical strength of both the copolymers in the dry condition. Chitosan‐g‐poly(vinyl acetate) (CH‐PVAc) proved more hydrophobic than did pure chitosan, whereas chitosan‐g‐poly(vinyl alcohol) (CH‐PVOH) exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity as evident from their swelling characteristics and contact angle measurements. The enhanced swelling of CH‐PVOH was ascribed to the presence of the pendant poly(vinyl alcohol) group. At pH 1.98, the CH‐PVAc copolymer films showed greater stability than do pure chitosan films, which is highly beneficial for specific biomedical applications. Both the copolymers showed lower glass transition temperature than do pure chitosan. Grafting did not affect the overall thermal stability, and the differential thermogram substantiated the grafting. The investigations indicate that the synthetic–natural hybrid copolymers having desirable mechanical properties and tailored hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics are realizable. These polymers could be exploited for varied biomedical applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1852–1859, 2007     

Preparation of high molecular weight poly(vinyl alcohol) with high yield using low‐temperature solution polymerization of vinyl acetate

Vinyl acetate (VAc) was solution‐polymerized in tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) having low chain transfer constant at 30, 40, and 50°C, using a low temperature initiator, 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADMVN). The effects of polymerization temperature and initiator concentration were investigated in terms of polymerization behavior and molecular structures of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and corresponding poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) obtained by saponification with sodium hydroxide. The polymerization rates of VAc in TBA and in DMSO were proportional to the 0.49 and 0.72 powers of ADMVN concentration, respectively. For the same polymerization conditions, TBA was absolutely superior to DMSO in increasing the molecular weight of PVA. In contrast, TBA was inferior to DMSO in causing conversion to polymer, indicating that the initiation rate of VAc in TBA was lower than that in DMSO. These effects could be explained by a kinetic order of ADMVN concentration calculated using initial rate method and by an activation energy difference of polymerization obtained from the Arrhenius plot. Low‐temperature solution polymerization of VAc in TBA or DMSO by adopting ADMVN proved successful in obtaining PVA of high molecular weight (number–average degree of polymerization (P_n): 4100–6100) and of high yield (ultimate conversion of VAc into PVAc: 55–80%) with diminishing heat generated during polymerization. In the case of bulk polymerization of VAc at the same conditions, maximum P_n and conversion of 5200–6200 and 20–30% was obtained, respectively. The P_n and lightness were higher, and the degree of branching was lower with PVA prepared from PVAc polymerized at lower temperatures in TBA. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1003–1012, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of new vinyl acetate grafting onto epoxidized linseed oil in aqueous media

Modified poly (vinyl acetate) copolymers with epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) as co‐monomer have been prepared. The polymerization was performed in aqueous medium without any additional protective colloid in the presence of sodium persulfate as catalyst. The effect of vinyl acetate (VAc)/ELO feed ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst amount has been studied. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the reaction between ELO and VAc resulted in slight decrease and shift in ELO characteristic bands of oxirane groups; and new bands were detected in the copolymer spectra attributed to PVAc and ELO functional groups. Moreover, new signals attributable to the copolymer were observed in the ¹H NMR spectra (δ 4.07 and 1.62 ppm) and in the ¹³C NMR spectra (δ 15.29 and 31.0 ppm). Analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed a single T_g for the copolymerization product of VAc and ELO and two T_g for the PVAc/ELO blend, indicating the chemical reaction between VAc and ELO. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42089.     

Preparation and structure of poly(vinyl alcohol)–poly(vinyl acetate) composite porous membrane

The preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) composite porous membrane was investigated by extracting PVAc with solvent from films of PVAc lattices which were obtained by the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) in the presence of PVA. The formation of the porous membrane depended upon whether or not PVAc in the latex film was easily extracted with solvent. In the case of using hydrogen peroxide (HPO)–tartaric acid (TA) as an initiator, in the film of the latex which was produced from the batch method in which all ingredients of the batch were put into the reaction vessel before starting polymerization, PVAc could be extracted over 90% of total PVAc with common organic solvents. In the film of the latex which was produced from the dropwise addition method of VAc and initiator, the PVAc extraction was about 20-30%. On the other hand, in the case of using ammonium persulfate as an initiator, the desired porous membrane was not obtained. The structure of the porous membrane obtained from the latex of the batch method by using HPO—TA consisted of spherical cells which were made up of PVA and grafted PVAc or insoluble PVAc like microgels, which were not extracted with organic solvent and were connected by small pores. The PVA—PVAc composite porous membrane is permeated by n-hexane with 5.58 × 10² mL/cm²·s at 0.5 kg/cm², by benzene with only 1.33 × 10^?3mL/cm²·s even at 60 kg/cm².     

Preparation and Molecular Structure of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) by Low Temperature Bulk Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate and Saponification

Abstract

Vinyl acetate (VAc) was bulk-polymerized at 30, 40 and 50°C using a low temperature initiator, 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADMVN), and effects of polymerization temperature and initiator concentration were investigated in terms of polymerization behavior and molecular structures of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and corresponding poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) obtained by saponifying it with sodium hydroxide. Low polymerization temperature and low conversion by adopting ADMVN proved to be successful in obtaining PVA of high molecular weight. PVAc having number-average degree of polymerization (P_n ) of 6,800–10,100 was obtained, whose degree of branching for acetyl group of 0.6–0.7 at 30°C, 0.8–1.1 at 40°C, and 1.0–1.9 at 50°C at conversion of below 40%. Saponifying so prepared PVAc yielded PVA having P_n of 3,100–6,200, and syndiotactic diad (S-diad) content of 51–53%. The whiteness, S-diad content, and crystal melting temperature were higher with PVA prepared from PVAc polymerized at lower temperatures.     

Iodine reaction of vinyl acetate/vinyl propionate copolymers. III. Iodine affinities of the radically polymerized copolymers and the copolymers derived from partially saponified polyvinyl acetate

The minimum sequence lengths (n_c) of vinyl acetate (VAc) units necessary to form a colored iodine complex were determined to be 4 and 17 for radically polymerized VAc/vinyl propionate (VPr) and VAc/isopropenyl acetate (IPAc) copolymers, respectively. The iodine affinities (I/VAc) of VAc/VPr copolymers (SP-series) obtained by propionylation of partially saponified polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) were remarkably affected by the saponification conditions. An increase of the water content in acetone/water mixture as saponification solvent brought about a decrease of the iodine affinities of the SP-series. The dependence of the iodine affinity on the saponification of monomer units in the SP-series was compared with that in the radically polymerized VAc/VPr copolymers by taking the sequence probability as the measure of monomer unit distribution. The results strongly supported an occurence of the slide fastener reaction at high degrees of saponification, which was well-known in the saponification of PVAc. Furthermore, it was found that the saponification mode of PVAc at low degrees of saponification was influenced uniquely by the water content in saponification solvents and the saponification temperature.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated with a macroinitiator of poly(vinyl acetate)

Well‐defined poly(vinyl acetate‐b‐methyl methacrylate) block copolymers were successfully synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in p‐xylene with CuBr as a catalyst, 2,2′‐bipyridine as a ligand, and trichloromethyl‐end‐grouped poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc–CCl₃) as a macroinitiator that was prepared via the telomerization of vinyl acetate with chloroform as a telogen. The block copolymers were characterized with gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared, and ¹H‐NMR. The effects of the solvent and temperature on ATRP of MMA were studied. The control over a large range of molecular weights was investigated with a high [MMA]/[PVAc–CCl₃] ratio for potential industry applications. In addition, the mechanism of the polymerization was discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1089–1094, 2006     

Hansen solubility parameter: from polyethylene and poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymers to ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers

The Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs ) of two ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA ) copolymers (with 18 and 33 wt% of vinyl acetate) and their corresponding homopolymers (polyethylene, PE , and poly(vinyl acetate), PVAc ) have been studied at various temperatures, employing the previously obtained Flory–Huggins parameters. From these latter values, a procedure based on the Hansen solubility spheres theory was employed to determine the HSPs , as well as the radius of interaction. The procedure was validated with literature data, with deviations of around 3%. The HSP values (dispersion, polar and association terms, respectively, all in MPa^{1 /2}) at 333.15 K are 14.84, ?3.88 and 1.78 for PE , 17.65, ?1.24 and 2.76 for EVA410 (with 18 wt% of vinyl acetate), 17.52, 0.15 and 3.61 for EVA460 (with 33 wt% of vinyl acetate) and 19.45, 10.59 and 5.76 for PVAc . The main characteristic of the obtained HSP values is that the high polar term of PVAc tends to increase the solubility character of the pure PE , and thus the EVA copolymers, allowing them to solubilize dispersion and polar compounds. Finally, it was also demonstrated that it is possible to predict the HSPs of EVA copolymers using the vinyl acetate content and the HSPs of pure PE and PVAc as input data. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Starve fed emulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate and 1‐hexene at ambient pressure

A novel emulsion copolymer of vinyl acetate (VAc) and 1‐hexene was synthesized at ambient pressure. The feeding technique, initiation system and reaction time of the copolymerization were optimized based on molecular characteristics such as the weight contribution of 1‐hexene in the copolymer chains and glass transition temperature (T_g) as well as on bulk properties like minimum film‐formation temperature (MFFT) and solid content. According to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry results, the combination of starve feeding and redox initiation, within a reaction time of 4 h, effectively led to the copolymerization at ambient pressure between highly reactive polar VAc monomers and non‐polar 1‐hexene monomers of low reactivity. The copolymer showed a lower T_g and MFFT, and a reasonable solid content compared to the poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) homopolymer. The consumption rate, hydrolysis of acetate groups and chain transfer reactions during the polymerization were followed using infrared spectroscopy. Based on the results, the undesirable reactions between the VAc blocks were hindered by the neighbouring 1‐hexene molecules. Tensile testing revealed an improvement in the toughness and elongation at break of VAc–1‐hexene films compared to PVAc films. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Compatibility of nylon 6 with poly(vinyl alcohol), hydroxylated poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl acetate)

Summary The compatibility of nylon 6 with poly(vinyl acetate)(PVAc) and poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) was investigated in terms of the melting-temperature depression. In order to vary the compatibility systematically, a hydroxylated poly(vinyl actate)(m-PVAc) was prepared by hydrolyzing PVAc with KOH in CH₃OH. It was found that the compatibility with nylon 6 is better in the systematic order PVA> m-PVAc> PVAc.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization and copolymerization of vinyl acetate catalyzed by copper halide/terpyridine

Copper‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is versatile for living polymerizations of a wide range of monomers, but ATRP of vinyl acetate (VAc) remains challenging due to the low homolytic cleavage activity of the carbon‐halide bond of the dormant poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) chains and the high reactivity of growing PVAc radicals. Therefore, all the reported highly active copper‐based catalysts are inactive in ATRP of VAc. Herein, we report the first copper‐catalyst mediated ATRP of VAc using CuBr/2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (tPy) or CuCl/tPy as catalysts. The polymerization was a first order reaction with respect to the monomer concentration. The molecular weights of the resulting PVAc linearly increased with the VAc conversion. The living character was further proven by self‐chain extension of PVAc. Using polystyrene (PS) as a macroinitiator, a well‐defined diblock copolymer PS‐b‐PVAc was prepared. Hydrolysis of the PS‐b‐PVAc produced a PS‐b‐poly(vinyl alcohol) amphiphilic diblock copolymer. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Synthesis of high-molecular weight poly(vinyl alcohol) by low-temperature emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate and saponification

High-molecular weight (HMW) poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was prepared via an emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) using a redox initiation system in low temperatures, and the subsequent saponification with potassium hydroxide in methanol. The effect of the polymerization conditions on the conversion, molecular weight, and branching degree was investigated. PVA with maximum viscosity-average degree of polymerization (DP) of 8270 could be prepared by saponification of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), with DP of 10,660 obtained at temperature of 10°C, monomer concentration of 30%, potassium persulfate molar ratio to monomer of 1/2000, agitation speed of 160 rpm. The conversion was above 90%. From the emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of VAc in low temperature, PVAc with HMW and high linearity was effectively prepared, which might be useful for the preparation of high-strength and high-modulus PVA fiber. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Thermal characteristics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber grafted with poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers were grafted with poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The effects of graft copolymers PVAc and PVA on morphological properties of PET were evaluated by differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Melting temperature, heat of fusion, and mass fractional crystallinity of PET was not affected by graft PVAc and PVA. No individual glass transition and melting points corresponding to the graft PVAc and PVA were observed, indicating thereby that graft copolymer mainly exists in the form of free chains inside the PET matrix. Poly(vinyl alcohol) graft copolymer degraded at much lower temperatures than poly(vinyl alcohol) in powder form. Thermal stability of PET fiber was not affected by graft PVAc, where as PET–g–PVA showed an additional degradation point at 360°C.     

Graft polymerization of vinyl acetate onto starch. Saponification to starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol)

Graft polymerizations of vinyl acetate onto granular corn starch were initiated by cobalt-60 irradiation of starch-monomer-water mixtures, and ungrafted poly(vinylacetate) was separated from the graft copolymer by benzene extraction. Conversions of monomer to polymer were quantitative at a radiation dose of 1.0 Mrad. However, over half of the polymer was present as ungrafted poly-(vinyl acetate) (grafting efficiency less than 50%), and the graft copolymer contained only 34% grafted synthetic polymer (34% add-on). Lower irradiation doses produced lower conversions of monomer to polymer and gave graft copolymers with lower % add-on. Addition of minor amounts of acrylamide, methyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid as comonomers produced only small increases in % add-on and grafting efficiency. However, grafting efficiency was increased to 70% when a monomer mixture containing about 10% methyl methacrylate was used. Grafting efficiency could be increased to over 90% if the graft polymerization of vinyl acetate-methyl methacrylate was carried out near 0°C, although conversion of monomers to polymer was low and grafted polymer contained 40-50% poly(methyl methacrylate). Selected graft copolymers were treated with methanolic sodium hydroxide to convert starch–g–poly(vinyl acetate) to starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol). The molecular weight of the poly(vinyl alcohol) moiety was about 30,000. The solubility of starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol) in hot water was less than 50%; however, solubility could be increased by substituting either acid-modified or hypochlorite-oxidized starch for unmodified starch in the graft polymerization reaction. Vinyl acetate was also graft polymerized onto acid-modified starch which had been dispersed and partially solubilized by heating in water. A total irradiation dose of either 1.0 or 0.5 Mrad gave starch–g–poly(vinyl acetate) with about 35% add-on, and a grafting efficiency of about 40% was obtained. A film cast from a starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer in which homopolymer was not removed exhibited a higher ultimate tensile strength than a comparable physical mixture of starch and poly(vinyl alcohol).     

Graft polymerization of vinyl acetate onto granular starch: Comparison on the potassium persulfate and ceric ammonium nitrate initiated system

This work was undertaken to discuss in depth the vital differences in the morphological development during synthesis, and properties of starch‐g‐poly‐(vinyl acetate) copolymers using two different initiators, potassium persulfate (KPS) and ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). KPS‐initiated system gave relatively low values of grafting ratio and grafting efficiency, indicating a great tendency for the formation of poly(vinyl acetate) homopolymer (PVAc). Yet, higher values were seen for the CAN‐initiated system. Transmission electron microscope observations indicated a relatively broad distribution of latex particles for the KPS‐initiated system. The surface potential of latex particles was about ?3.5 mV, which turned out to be insufficient to maintain stability of latex particles. On the other hand, a uniform particle size distribution was found for the CAN‐initiated system, as the surface potential of latex particles was 21.5 mV. Moreover, radicals on starch molecules were generated directly through a redox reaction with positively charged ceric ion. The hydrophobic PVAc chains were thus grafted on starch, resulting in an amphiphilic graft copolymer, which provides a sufficient stabilization degree as a role of surfactant to render a relatively uniform distribution of latex particles. The synthesized starch‐g‐poly(vinyl acetate) copolymers were further converted to starch‐g‐poly(vinyl alcohol) through saponification, which were subjected to evaluations regarding the biodegradation and cell culture capability. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3017–3027, 2006     

Iodine reaction of vinyl acetate — vinyl propionate copolymers II. Dependence of iodine affinities of the copolymers on the sequence distribution of vinyl acetate-units

The reactions of iodine with vinyl acetate (VAc) — vinyl propionate (VPr) copolymers in aqueous solutions of potassium iodide were investigated photometrically. The iodine affinity (I/VAc) of VAc-units was defined as the number of bound iodine atoms per VAc-unit and determined from the absorbance of the formed colored complex. The dependence of the I/VAc values on the copolymer composition was discussed with respect to the sequence distribution of VAc-units in the copolymer chains. The dependence of the I/VAc value on the copolymer composition of block copolymers provided a useful information concerning the saponification of PVAc because the here used block copolymers were prepared by propionylation of partially saponified PVAc.     

Copolymerization of aniline and vinyl acetate by using various surfactants in aqueous media

Polyaniline/poly(vinyl acetate) (PAn/PVAc) copolymer was prepared in aqueous solution by the copolymerization of vinyl acetate and aniline using a mixture of KIO₃ and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ as an oxidant in the presence of the surfactants sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, poly(ethylene glycol), and hydroxypropylcellulose. The PAn/PVAc copolymers were characterized in terms of their conductivity, morphology, and structure. The results indicated that the morphology and conductivity of the products were dependent on the type of surfactant used (anionic or nonionic). Furthermore, it was found that adding vinyl acetate monomer to the stirred aqueous solution containing oxidant, surfactant, and aniline monomer had a great effect on the morphology and increased the amount of the product. The structures of the products were determined by FTIR spectroscopy. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:229–233, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers