Micellar nucleation of latex particles

Nevertheless micelles are normally present during Interval I of an emulsion polymerization in which latex particles are nucleated. Micellar nucleation of latex particles is dominant for monomers which have only a low solubility in water (e.g. styrene). For such a monomer any effect of micellar catalysis is likely to be revealed by an increase in the number of latex particles formed which would also result in an increased rate of polymerization. The thermal emulsion polymerization cited above seem to be a prima facie case of micellar catalysis. The thermal emulsion polymerization of styrene is investigated further here. 

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