The Kinetics of Emulsion Polymerization: Some Controversial Aspects

Abstract

Advances in the study of emulsion polymerization (EP) have allowed the clarification of some aspects of the mechanism and kinetics involved. However, such advances have provided controversial information in other aspects. In this work, the authors give a personal view of the state‐of‐the‐art of some of the most controversial issues of the EP kinetics: particle formation (nucleation) mechanism, particle size distribution, evolution of the rate of polymerization, and free‐radical capture.

Keywords:

• Emulsion polymerization
• Kinetics
• Mechanisms
• Nucleation
• Particle size distribution
• Rate of polymerization
• Free‐radical entry and exit

Acknowledgments

Support from the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT‐México) under grant J‐38778U as well as a predoctoral scholarship for S. Carro are acknowledged. Authors wish to thank Prof. Gretchen Lapidus (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana—Iztapalapa) for her commentaries and suggestions.