From miniemulsion to nanoemulsion polymerization of superhydrophobic monomers through low energy phase inversion temperature

Abstract Miniemulsion preparation by low-energy phase inversion temperature (PIT) was performed for lauryl methacrylate (LMA) using polyethoxylated non-ionic emulsifiers. The minimum emulsifier content (4.5 wt%) and maximum amount of monomer (33 wt%) that led to stable miniemulsions was optimized and the corresponding miniemulsions polymerized. Depending on the polymerization temperature, a conventional miniemulsion polymerization or a nanoemulsion polymerization (NEP) mechanism were followed. The possible explanation for the change of the reaction mechanism has been presented. Moreover, the robustness of the PIT technique for industrial applications was confirmed by polymerizing a LMA/isobornyl acrylate superhydrophobic monomer mixture.