丙烯酸酯乳液的合成及改性研究

以丙烯酸丁酯(BA)和丙烯酸-2-乙基己酯(2-EHA)为软单体、甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)为硬单体、丙烯酸(AA)为功能单体、甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯(HEMA)为交联单体和十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)/乳化剂(OP-10)为阴/非离子型复合乳化剂,采用核/壳种子乳液聚合法制备了丙烯酸酯共聚乳液;然后在壳层聚合时寸加入HEMA,并用乙烯基有机硅进行改性,制得硅丙乳液。结果表明:当m(SDS):m(OP-10)=3:2、w(复合乳化剂)=3.4%、w(引发剂)=0.82%、w(HEMA)=3.5%、聚合温度为80℃以及聚合中期加入6.8%乙烯基硅油至壳单体中时,硅丙乳液及其胶膜的稳定性、耐水性和力学性能俱佳。     

Stability and copolymerization of concentrated emulsion of styrene and butyl acrylate in the presence of polyurethane macromonomer

A study has been made of the stability and copolymerization of concentrated emulsion of styrene (St) and butyl acrylate (BA) in the presence of polyurethane macromonomer (DPUA), which contains C?C at one end. First, the DPUA macromonomer was synthesized from the appropriate amount of 2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI), polypropylene glycol (PPG), 2‐hydroxyethyl methylacrylate (HEMA), dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), and triethylamine (TEA) by four steps. Then, the DPUA was dissolved in St‐BA monomer mixtures. The DPUA/St‐BA concentrated emulsion copolymerization using sodium dodecyl sulfate/cetyl alcohol (SDS/CA) as composite surfactant and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as liquid film reinforcer, and ammonium persulfate/sodium hydrogen sulfate (APS/SHS) as redox initiator system was carried out at 30°C. The effect of NCO/OH molar ratio, surfactants' concentration, mass ratio of DPUA/St‐BA, initiators' concentration, volume fraction of the monomer phase (Φ), and temperature on the stability or the copolymerization of the concentrated emulsion of DPUA/St‐BA were investigated. The average size and distribution of the latex particles obtained under different conditions were also analyzed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1992–1999, 2007     

Simultaneous graft copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and acrylic acid onto polydimethylsiloxane surfaces using a two‐step plasma treatment

Acrylic acid (AAc) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) mixtures were simultaneously grafted onto the surfaces of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films using a two‐step oxygen plasma treatment (TSPT). The first step of this method includes: oxygen plasma pretreatment of the PDMS films, immersion in HEMA/AAc mixtures, removal from the mixtures, and drying. The second step was carried out by plasma copolymerization of preadsorbed reactive monomers on the surfaces of dried pretreated films. The effects of pretreatment and polymerization time length, monomer concentration, and ratio on peroxide formation and graft amount were studied. The films were characterized by attenuated total reflection Furrier transformer infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), zeta potential, surface tension, and water contact angle measurements. The ATR‐FTIR spectrum of the modified film after alkaline treatment showed the two new characteristic bands of PHEMA and PAAc. Both increase the polar part of surface tension (γ_p) after grafting and the evaluation of surface charge at pH 1.8, 7, and 12 confirmed the presence of polar groups on the surface of grafted films with a mixture of HEMA/AAc. Morphological studies using both AFM and SEM evaluation illustrated various amounts of grafted copolymer on the surface of PDMS films. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Physicochemical properties of irradiated and loaded LDPE films with polyfunctional monomers

Polyfunctional monomers (PFMs), namely, trimethylol propane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA), trimethylol propane triacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and diethylene glycol diacrylate were blended with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and exposed to different doses of EB irradiation. Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet and UV–vis spectroscopy of the unirradiated, irradiated, unloaded, and PFMs‐loaded LDPE films were studied under various irradiation doses up to 300 kGy. The degree of crosslinking and oxidative degradation, as measured by the spectroscopic parameters, were dependent on both the irradiation dose and the type of loaded PFMs. For all of the loaded monomers, the extent of crosslinking increased at different rates as a function of irradiation dose. TMPTMA monomer was the most efficient in enhancing the crosslinking of LDPE films compared to the other loaded monomers. However, the unloaded LDPE film showed the least extent of crosslinking. In addition, the EB‐radiation‐induced changes, such as trans‐vinylene formation, a decrease in vinyl and vinylidene unsaturation; and carbonyl double‐bond formation and change in crystallinity were correlated. The importance of these results on the prediction of the role of polyfunctional monomers in the production of crosslinked polymers is discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2025–2035, 2003     

Synthesis and Photopolymerizations of New Crosslinkers for Dental Applications

Summary: Five new crosslinkers for use in dental composites were synthesized. Four are based on TBHMA: 1 via reaction of TBBr and Bisphenol A; 2 by hydrolysis of t‐butyl groups of the first monomer to give a diacid derivative; 3 by conversion of the first monomer to an amide derivative using benzyl amine; 4 by conversion of the first monomer to amide derivative using APTES. The AHM‐based monomer 5 was synthesized from the Michael addition of APTES to AHM. The photopolymerization behaviors of the synthesized monomers with Bis‐GMA, TEGDMA and HEMA were investigated using photodifferential scanning calorimetry at 40 °C using DMPA as photoinitiator. The polymerization rates and degrees of conversion for mixtures of any of the monomers 1 – 4 with Bis‐GMA:TEGDMA were found to be similar to Bis‐GMA:TEGDMA, higher than Bis‐GMA:HEMA, and also higher than mixtures with Bis‐GMA:HEMA. The incorporation of TBHMA‐based monomers into the conventional resin mixture (Bis‐GMA and TEGDMA) reduced the polymerization shrinkages. Monomer 5 and its mixtures polymerized much faster and to higher degrees of conversion than the other investigated systems, however, this system exhibited the largest volume shrinkage.

Structures of some of the new crosslinkers synthesized.     

Immobilization of Candida lipolytica lipase on macroporous beaded terpolymers with epoxy groups

A series of macroporous beaded terpolymers with epoxy groups were synthesized by suspension polymerization with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and the third monomers including styrene, methyl methacrylate, n‐butyl acrylate (BA), butyl methacrylate (BMA), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate for immobilization of Candida lipolytica lipase. The effect of various third monomers on loading and activity recovery of immobilized lipase were studied. Terpolymers with BA as the third monomer were found to give the biggest loading of lipase, and the activity recovery of lipase immobilized on poly(GMA‐EGDMA‐BA) terpolymers reached 79.0%. As the content of BA (%) increasing, the loading of lipase enhanced, but the activity recovery reached 88.5% for the initial stage and decreased to 46.9% at last. The poly(GMA‐EGDMA‐BA‐10) showed an optimal result in lipase immobilization. Lipase immobilized on poly(GMA‐EGDMA‐BA‐10) carriers had broader pH and higher temperature stability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Light cured fluoride filled denture‐coating materials

Light cured denture‐coating materials were prepared by formulating an acrylate monomer with a photoinitiator system (camphorquinone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) using one of three base monomers [bisphenol A glycerolate diacrylate (Bis‐GDA), glycerol 1,3‐diglycerolate diacrylate (GDA), and diurethane dimethacrylate (DU‐DMA)] each with four diluents [triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and methacrylic acid (MAA)] at a fixed 1 : 1 molar ratio of base monomer to diluent. The twelve formulations were then evaluated for their surface hardness and water sorption as coating materials. The DU‐DMA/MAA, DU‐DMA/HEMA, Bis‐GDA/HEMA, and GDA/MAA based coatings provided a high level of both surface hardness and water sorption properties. When sodium fluoride (NaF) or calcium fluoride (CaF₂) was incorporated into those formulations, the fluoride ion release rate from all four NaF containing coating materials was extremely high in the first week, decreasing sharply in the second week and then decreasing in the later 2 weeks. In contrast, the CaF₂ containing coating materials showed a slower sustained rate of fluoride ion release over the 4‐week test period, with the DU‐DMA/HEMA based coating having a fluoride ion release pattern that meets the requirements for dental use. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Experimental study of the spontaneous thermal homopolymerization of methyl and n‐butyl acrylate

This article presents an experimental study of the spontaneous thermal homopolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and n‐butyl acrylate (nBA) in the absence of any known added initiators at 120 and 140°C in a batch reactor. The effects of the solvent type, oxygen level, and reaction temperature on the monomer conversion and polymer average molecular weights were investigated. Three solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; polar, aprotic), cyclohexanone (polar, aprotic), and xylene (nonpolar) were used. The spontaneous thermal polymerization of MA and nBA in DMSO resulted in a lower conversion and higher average molecular weights in comparison to polymerization in cyclohexanone and xylene under the same conditions. The highest final conversion of both monomers was obtained in cyclohexanone. The high polymerization rate in cyclohexanone was most likely due to an additional initiation mechanism where cyclohexanone complexed with the monomer to generate free radicals. Bubbling air through the mixture led to a higher monomer conversion during the early stage of the polymerization and a lower polymer average molecular weight in xylene and cyclohexanone; this indicated the existence of a distinct behavior between the air‐ and nitrogen‐purged systems. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight analysis of the polymer samples taken from nitrogen‐bubbled batches did not reveal fragments from initiating impurities. On the basis of the identified families of peaks, monomer self‐initiation is suggested as the principal mode of initiation in the spontaneous thermal polymerization of MA and nBA at temperatures above 100°C. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Rheology and morphology of polypropylene in situ grafted and blended with methyl methacrylate/n‐buthylacrylate copolymer

The rheology and morphology of polypropylene (PP) modified by grafting and blending with vinyl monomers were studied in this work. The PP powder was impregnated by mixture of methyl methacrylate (MMA)/n‐buthylacrylate (n‐BA) and copolymerized with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiator. The simultaneous grafting and blending of PP with MMA‐co‐n‐BA copolymers were performed in a corotating, 40 L/D, twin‐screw extruder in the presence of dicumyl peroxide. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to verify the grafting level and dispersion state of MMA/n‐BA copolymer on PP matrix, respectively, and their rheological properties were studied. It is observed that MMA/n‐BA copolymer is finely dispersed in the PP matrix. In this way, PP can be grafted, blended, and simultaneously compatibilized with polar copolymers, as is seen in SEM images. The results showed that by increasing acrylate monomers grafting on to PP increased. The same trend was observed for AIBN initiator. The gel content of samples with 25% monomers showed an increased from 0.7% to 3.5% by increasing AIBN from 0.2% to 0.4%. The grafting reaction took place with chain scission of PP molecules and also cross‐linking reactions. The optimum grafting of 7.3% with lowest chain scission and cross‐linking were obtained for samples containing 15 wt% monomer and 0.3% AIBN initiator. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:290–298, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

自交联型丙烯酸阴极电泳涂料树脂的合成

采用甲基丙烯酸二甲胺基乙酯(DMAEMA)、甲基丙烯酸β羟乙酯(HEMA)、N-羟甲基丙烯酰胺(NHMA)、甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)、丙烯酸丁酯(BA)等单体合成了自交联型丙烯酸阴极电泳涂料,研究了影响树脂水溶性和漆膜性能的因素。实验结果表明,DMAEMA、HEMA、NHMA用量分别为单体用量的16%、15%、6%,引发剂偶氮二异丁腈(AIBN)的用量为单体用量的2%,合成反应2 h,电泳电压125 V时,可得到综合性能良好的高装饰性自交联型丙烯酸阴极电泳涂膜。电泳漆膜外观平整光亮,性能优良,膜厚可达22μm,光泽度(20°)可达123.9,适用于要求高装饰性表面的涂装。     

Fixation of cationic P (st‐BA‐AA‐GMA) emulsion on pigment particles in dyeing of cotton fabrics

Cationic copolymer emulsions of St, BA, AA, and GMA were successfully synthesized via semi‐continuous emulsion polymerization. The properties of synthesized cationic emulsions were characterized by monomer conversion and solid content, differential scanning calorimeter, particle size and distribution, zeta potential, and centrifugal stability. The film performance of the cationic emulsions formed on cotton fiber surface was observed by scanning electricity microscopy. The influence of cationic emulsions on the color data, K/S values and rubbing fastness of dyed cotton fabrics was also investigated. The results show that P (St‐BA‐AA‐GMA) emulsion had larger particle size and higher zeta potential than P (St‐BA‐AA) emulsion. When the films were formed at room temperature, P (St‐BA‐AA‐GMA) emulsion film had better performance than P (St‐BA‐AA) emulsion film. The addition of GMA monomers improved the film performance. P (St‐BA‐AA‐GMA) emulsion films formed at 120 °C after acetic acid solution treatment had the best water resistance. Dyed cotton fabrics pretreated with P (St‐BA‐AA‐GMA) emulsion had better pigment dyeing performance than those pretreated with P (St‐BA‐AA) emulsion. It demonstrates that the addition of GMA monomers further improved the effect of pigment dyeing for cotton fabrics with cationic emulsions as binders. With the increase of P (St‐BA‐AA‐GMA) concentration, the color performance of dye fabrics improved while the rubbing fastness decreased a little. But, the handle and fastness still meets the use standards for consumers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44987.     

Properties of films obtained by UV-curing 4,4'-hexafluoroisopropylidenediphenoldihydroxyethylether diacrylate and its mixtures with the hydrogenated homologue

A new ultraviolet (UV)-curable acrylic monomer, 4,4'-hexafluoroisopropylidene-diphenoldihydroxyethylether diacrylate, was synthesized: it was cured as a film and its properties compared with those of its fully hydrogenated homologue. The introduction of two CF₃groups into the monomer did not change its reactivity in the UV-curing reaction, but increased the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the cured polymeric film, decreased its refractive index (n), and lowered its surface tension. The fluorinated and the hydrogenated monomers were completely miscible and give homogeneous films: the T_g and n values were found linearly dependent on the fluorinated monomer content. The surface properties were deeply influenced by the presence of fluorine; a surface enrichment of the fluorinated monomer was evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses on the surfaces of the films obtained from mixtures of the two monomers. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 979–983, 1997     

Synthesis and performance characteristics of a water‐based polyacrylate microemulsion for UHMWPE fiber adhesive coating

The water‐based polyacrylate microemulsion for ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers adhesive coating was synthesized by the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), acrylic acid (AA), and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) in the presence of a composite of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), OP‐10, and n‐octyl alcohol (NOA) as the emulsifier. The effects of the mass fraction of emulsifier and the reaction time on the properties of emulsion and its membrane were investigated. When m(BA) : m(MMA) : m(AA) : m(HEA) was 50 : 50 : 3 : 10 (wt ratio) and the mass fraction of emulsifier was 13 wt % and the reaction time was 3 h at 80°C, the latex particle diameter was 30 nm tested by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) were used to characterize the chemical structure and the glass transition temperature (T_g) of microemulsion membrane. The application results showed that this microemulsion was an ideal adhesive coating for UHMWPE fibers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Vapor phase photografting on low-density polyethylene film in binary monomer systems

Vapor phase photografting of monomer mixtures on low-density polyethylene film, on which benzoyl peroxide is coated, was investigated at 60°C using various vinyl, allyl, and solid monomers. Styrene (St) itself was difficult to graft on the film substrate, but the combinations of St with vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile (AN), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid led to the accelerated grafting, affording a maximum percent grafting at an certain monomer ratio. The same combination effect was observed for AN–N-vinyl pyrrolidone and –GMA monomer mixtures. The monomer combinations such as allyl aldehyde–St and allyl alcohol–maleic anhydride were useful for performing the grafting of allyl monomers effectively. Maleic anhydride and maleimide as solid monomers were also possible to introduce into the film substrate by means of the monomer combination, where St, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl ethers, and benzyl methacrylate were available as comonomers. Thus, the monomer combinations affording an accelerating effect on grafting may be monomer pairs rich in an alternative copolymerizability, suggesting that monomer reactivity ratio controls a major factor for the combination effect. It was confirmed from IR study on grafted films that both monomer components are introduced in the film substrate as the grafted chain component.     

Secondary nucleation of styrenated hydroxyl-functionalized latexes

In this study, secondary nucleation in emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA), styrene (St), and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), was investigated. Different molar ratios of BA and St were used. Average particle size, particle size distribution (PSD), polymerization kinetics, glass transition temperature (T_g), and surface tension were monitored and compared. All synthetic latexes were prepared through seeded semi-batch emulsion polymerization process. Three different BA to St ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) were combined with eight different HEMA contents (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 mol%) in monomer composition, respectively. In the case of high HEMA content (10–40 mol%) it is found that secondary nucleation is mainly affected by HEMA. Secondary nucleation at low HEMA content (1–5 mol%) is dependent on the BA to St monomer ratio, and consequently a reflection of z-mer hydrophobicity.     

Curing and combustion properties of a PU‐coating system with UV‐reactive phosphazene

A UV‐curable polyurethane (PU)‐coating system containing phosphorus is formulated by the combination of photoinitiator, PU acrylate oligomer, and UV‐reactive phosphazene monomer. PU acrylate oligomer is prepared by the addition of 2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) to NCO‐terminated PU prepolymer. UV‐reactive phosphazene monomer is derived from the HEMA substitution reaction to hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (NPCl₂)₃. The curing reaction of this PU‐coating system is carried out by UV irradiation. The resultant UV‐cured PU‐coated films demonstrated better performance properties than those of original UV‐cured PU acrylate (UV‐PU) without UV‐reactive phosphazene monomer. Furthermore, their thermal properties are investigated by a thermogravimetric analyzer and a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer, respectively. The combustion behaviors of these UV‐cured PU‐coated films are evaluated by the measurements of a limiting oxygen index and a cone calorimeter. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1980–1991, 2002     

Synthesis and characterization of butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/glycidyl methacrylate latexes

The butyl acrylate (BA)/methyl methacrylate (MMA), and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) composite copolymer latex was synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization technique taking poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) latex as the seed. Four series of experiments were carried out by varying the ratio of BA : MMA (w/w) (i.e. 3.1 : 1, 2.3 : 1, 1.8 : 1, and 1.5 : 1) and in each series GMA content was varied from 1 to 5% (w/w). The structural properties of the copolymer were analyzed by FTIR, ¹H‐, and ¹³C‐NMR. Morphological characterization was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In all the experiments, monomer conversion was ～99% and final copolymer composition was similar to that of feed composition. The incorporation of GMA into the copolymer chain was confirmed by ¹³C‐NMR. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the copolymer latex obtained from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve was comparable to the values calculated theoretically. With increase in GMA content, particles having core‐shell morphology were obtained, and there was a decrease in the particle size as we go from 2–5% (w/w) of GMA. The adhesive strength of the latexes was found to be dependent on the monomer composition. With increase in BA : MMA ratio, the tackiness of the film increased while with its decrease the hardness of the film increased. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effect of partitioning of monomer on the reactivities of monomers in microemulsion

Copolymerization of styrene and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) was carried out in a microemulsion medium. The composition of the copolymers was estimated using proton ¹H‐NMR. The reactivity ratios of styrene and 2‐HEMA in ternary microemulsions were observed and were considerable different from those reported for solution and bulk polymerization. In monomer pairs with a considerable difference in polarity, partitioning of a monomer between the aqueous phase and the microemulsion droplets develops a concentration gradient, which can be calculated from the distribution coefficient of the monomer between the two phases. This approach has led to more reliable reactivity ratios for the monomers. The study of styrene–2‐HEMA copolymerization in a sodium dodecylsulfate‐based microemulsion resulted in r_S = 3.79 and r_H = 0.17 as apparent reactivity ratios and r_S = 0.57 and r_H = 23.24 as true reactivity ratios for styrene and 2‐HEMA, respectively. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1832–1837, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10401     

Radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐ethylene) film

Modification of poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐ethylene), Tefzel (ETFE), film has been carried out by grafting methylmethacrylate (MMA) by radiation method including preirradiation and double‐irradiation methods. Percentage of grafting has been determined as a function of the (i) total dose, (ii) monomer concentration, (iii) amount of liquor ratio, (iv) reaction time, and (v) temperature.The effect of different alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 2‐propanol, n‐butanol, n‐pentanol, and 2‐ethoxy ethanol on percentage of grafting of MMA was also studied. The graft copolymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Methylmethacrylate produces higher percentage of grafting by preirradiaton method than double‐irradiation method. MMA‐grafted ETFE films (S_irr), i.e., prepared by preirradiation involving single irradiation show better thermal stability than MMA‐grafted ETFE films (D_irr), i.e., prepared by double irradiation and unmodified ETFE film. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Statistical experimental strategies approach to emulsion copolymerization of styrene and n-butyl acrylate

A batch emulsion copolymerization for the preparation of styrene-n-butylacrylate (St/BA) copolymer latexes is investigated. A series of n-butylacrylate-styrene copolymer latexes were obtained by emulsion copolymerization in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ (KPS) as initiator and with/without emulsifier (sodium lauryl sulfate). The effect of such preparation conditions as initiator concentration, the St/BA ratio, reaction temperature, agitation rate, and emulsifier concentration on the polymerization rate, particle size of copolymer latex, and molecular weight distribution of the resulting copolymer (∼ 80% conversion), respectively, is systematically studied using fractional factorial design methodology. Fractional factorial analysis indicates that the effects of the St/BA ratio, reaction temperature, emulsifier concentration, as well as the two-factor interaction of temperature and emulsifier concentration, are the key variables influencing the polymerization rate. At ∼ 80% monomer conversion, statistical analysis clearly isolates emulsifier concentration as the dominant factor affecting average particle size of copolymer latex; results also indicate that the effects of the St/BA ratio, reaction temperature, and emulsifier concentration are major effects influencing the polydispersity of polymer molecular-weight distribution. For 7.30 g KPS/100 g monomer and 500 rpm agitation rate, the conditions for minimizing molecular-weight distribution (∼ 80% conversion) occur for a reaction temperature, St/BA ratio, and surfactant concentration of 70°C, ∼ 3.59/1, and ∼ 2.08 g/100 g monomer, respectively, generating a minimum molecular-weight polydispersity of ∼ 3.0. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 551–563, 1998