Optimization of the chemical composition of high molecular weight surfactants used to stabilize polymer dispersions in suspension polymerization of monomers

The possible reasons for the occurrence of emulsion polymerization of a monomer simultaneously with suspension polymerization, namely the formation of polymer particles from a highly dispersed fraction of monomer droplets in the initial emulsion and associates of high molecular weight surfactants, are considered. Data on colloidal solubility of monomer in surfactant associates and data on determination of hydrodynamic radii of high molecular weight surfactant associates are presented. The results obtained can be the basis for the choice of surfactants in suspension polymerization, which ensure the minimum contribution of the highly dispersed fraction of monomer droplets to the formation of polymer-monomer particles.