Effects of short chain alcohols on the styrene emulsion polymerization

The effects of a series of short chain alcohols, 1‐butanol (C₄OH), 1‐pentanol (C₅OH), and 1‐hexanol (C₆OH), on the styrene (ST) emulsion polymerization mechanisms and kinetics were investigated. The CMC of the ST emulsions stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) first decreases rapidly and then levels off when the C_iOH (i = 4, 5, or 6) concentration ([C_iOH]) increases from 0 to 72 mM. Furthermore, at constant [C_iOH], the CMC data in decreasing order is CMC (C₄OH) > CMC (C₅OH) > CMC (C₆OH). The effects of C_iOH (i = 4, 5, and 6) on the ST emulsion polymerization stabilized by 6 mM SDS are significant. This is attributed to the reduction in CMC by C_iOH, the different oil–water interfacial properties, the different concentrations of monomer within latex particles, and the different effectiveness of SDS/C_iOH in stabilizing latex particles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4406–4411, 2006