Copolymerization in microemulsions

The above example highlights the important role of a polymerizable surfactant or cosurfactant in microemulsion polymerization. Gan and Chew [38] were thus able to produce transparent solid polymers by fully polymerizing 54 % MMA, 34 % AA, 10 % H2O, and 2 % SDS or with other lower water concentrations. On further replacement of SDS by a polymerizable surfactant, sodium acrylamidoundecanoate [37], the resulting transparent solid polymers were still compatible with the similar amount of water. This prompted further studies on copolymerization in microemulsions of MMA, AA, and sodium acrylamidostearate (NaAAS), all the three components being readily polymerizable and amenable to terpolymerization in microemulsions. 

Larpent, C., Bernard, E., Richard, J., and VasUn, S. (1997). Synthesis of functionalized nanoparticles via copolymerization in microemulsions and surface reactions. 

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