The effect of low molecular weight surfactants on the strength of methyl cellulose adsorption layers during vinyl chloride suspension polymerization

Abstract An investigation was carried out of the effects of low molecular weight (mol.wt.) surfactants of differing types on structuration in methyl cellulose (MC) adsorption layers. Regardless of type, the presence of the surfactants reduced the strength of the MC adsorption layers under static conditions due to it being expelled from the boundary between the phases by more active surfactants. Under the suspension polymerization conditions of vinyl chloride, where the interface is very large and is continuously renewed by intense mixing, the surfactant primarily reduces the surface tansion and assists with the dispersion of the system. The displacement of the MC molecules from the interface by the surfactant will be an important factor only when larger concentrations of the latter are compared.