Seeded dispersion polymerization

Abstract Micron‐size poly( n ‐butyl acrylate) (PBA) and polystyrene (PSt) particles were used as seed in second‐stage seeded dispersion polymerizations. The effects of various polymerization parameters on the morphology of the structured particles resulting from the second‐stage seeded dispersion polymerizations were studied, and a series of uniform micron‐size structured particles was successfully prepared. In addition to the polymerization medium, the type of stabilizer (i.e., the molecular weight of the polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP] stabilizer) that was used in the seed preparation and the subsequent seeded dispersion polymerization was found to be important. The final outcome of a seeded dispersion polymerization, that is, the morphology of the structured particles and the formation of secondary particles, was found to be primarily governed by thermodynamic factors. It was also found that the latex particles in these dispersion systems are virtually stabilized by the small amount of grafted PVP molecules. The dispersions maintain colloidal stability after repeated washing of the particles, which removes all of the soluble PVP. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2710–2720, 2002