Abstract
Mechanism and kinetics of dispersion polymerization of styrene in the presence of a new macromer based on 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline have been investigated. Partial conversion-time curves have been obtained by continuous NMR measurements. Final conversion of styrene was 88% in contrast to 35% for oxazoline macromonomer. The kinetic data proved that particles become sterical stable at 15% conversion. The weight average molecular weight and polydispersity index are in the range of typical dispersion polymerization. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature are increased when a higher amount of stabilizer is used. The presence of the macromer on the surface of the final beads and the fraction of grafted stabilizer were evaluated by XPS. Keywords: dispersion polymerization, macromonomers, 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline, X-ray photoelectron