Emulsion polymerization of styrene

Abstract
A critical examination of the emulsion polymerization of styrene has been carried out with a simplified emulsion recipe. In particular, attention has been paid to precise methods of measuring the rate of reaction, the number of latex particles and the concentration of monomer at the reaction site. On the basis of these measurements the propagation rate constant has been evaluated by means of the expression of the Smith-Ewart theory of polymerization in emulsion. The value obtained is very little different from that found in bulk polymerizations in styrene.