Emulsion polymerization in the presence of polymerizable emulsifiers and surface active initiators

A survey is given of recent developments in emulsion polymerization regarding improved auxiliary materials, e.g. vinyl tensides and surface active initiators. Results of the emulsion polymerization of styrene are presented with 3-(alkyloxycarbonyl-acryloyloxy)propanesulfonates (2) as polymerizable emulsifiers and with surface active azo initiators. The results show, that the content of water soluble surface active compounds in the latexes can be reduced. Investigations of the molecular weight of the polymers show the great importance of the initiator-emulsifier system. Azo initiators leading to higher molecular weights than persulfate. Under the same conditions the highest molecular weights were obtained with a surface active azo initiator.