The inverse emulsion polymerization of acrylamide using poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-polyoxyethylene as the stabilizer

Inverse emulsion polymerization of an aqueous solution of acrylamide (AM) in toluene is carried out using poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-polyoxyethylene (PMMA-g-PEO) as an emulsifier. The kinetics of polymerization, morphology of the particle, and particle size of the inverse emulsion have been investigated. The rates of polymerization are found to be proportional to the initiator concentration, the monomer concentration, and the emulsifier concentration. The morphology of particles shows a spherical structure. The mechanism of inverse emulsion polymerization using amphipathic graft copolymer as the emulsifier is proposed. The resulting molecular weights of polyacrylamide are extremely high, and relate to the amphipathic graft copolymer structure. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 528–534, 2001