PVC miniemulsion polymerization. I. Origin of droplet families

A soap/alcohol miniemulsion in combination with an homogenized mixture of monomer and initiator is utilized to generate PVC plastisol. Droplet distributions generated consist of two distinct types. Judicious control of soap-to-alcohol ratio allows control of the number and size of the smaller droplet family; homogenization and initiator water solubility affect the other. Final latex particle distribution may be unimodal or bimodal depending upon manipulation of these factors.