Preparation of monodisperse polystyrene particles by radiation induced dispersion polymerization using Y-like branched emulsifiers as stabilizers

A series of Y-like branched emulsifiers, i.e.12-butyryloxy-9-octadecenoic acid (BOA), 12-hexanoyloxy-9-octadecenoic acid (HOA), 12-isobutyryloxy-9-octadecenoic acid (IBOA), 12-benzoyloxy-9-octadecenoic acid (BzOA), and 12-acryloxy-9-octadecenoic acid (AOA) were synthesized and firstly applied to dispersion polymerization of styrene (PSt). Monodispersed PSt particles were successfully prepared by radiation induced dispersion polymerization in ethanol-water medium and stabilized by AOA at room temperatures. The conversion-time curve was obtained, and the grafting reaction between AOA and PSt was investigated via FT-IR and 1HNMR spectrum. Furthermore, we compared the morphology of the obtained PSt particles to that using other Y-like branched emulsifiers as stabilizer. (authors)