Synthesis and characterization of a cationic surfactant for emulsion polymerization of styrene

A cationic surface active agent was synthesized from the chemical modification of vanillin. Then, the cationic emulsion polymerization of styrene (PSt) in a batch reactor using different concentrations of azobisisobutyramidine dihydrochloride (AIBA) as cationic initiator has been studied. In the preliminary study, the best conditions to obtain stable cationic latexes at high conversions were identified. When the surfactant concentration was above its CMC, latexes with highconversions were achieved for the synthesized surfactant. On the other hand, a strong effect of the particle size on the kinetics of the cationic emulsion polymerization of styrene using this cationic surfactant was observed.

Keywords:

Morphology , Emulsion polymerization , Surfactants , Polystyrene