Particle formation in an initial stage of emulsifier-free organotellurium-mediated living radical emulsion polymerization (emulsion TERP) of styrene at 60°C was investigated at two stirring rates (220 and 1000 r.p.m.), at which styrene phase floated as a layer on an aqueous phase at 220 r.p.m. or dispersed as droplets at 1000 r.p.m. Because percentage of PMAA30-TeMe consumed in the initial stage was much higher at 1000 r.p.m. than 220 r.p.m., self-assembly nucleation preferentially occurred at 1000 r.p.m., resulting in nanometer-sized particles and good control/livingness.
- Hirotaka Moribe
- Yukiya Kitayama
- Masayoshi Okubo
