The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises:
(1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least
one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the
emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2)
initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium.
The subject invention more specifically reveals an emulsion polymerization process
that comprises: (1) preparing a monomer solution which is comprised of (a) at least
one monomer, (b) a conjugate acid of a surfactant with a pKa of less
than 14, and (c) a controlled free radical polymerization agent; (2) preparing
an aqueous medium which is comprised of (a) water, and (b) a conjugate base of
a weak acid wherein the pKb of the base is less than 14; and (3) mixing
the monomer solution with the aqueous medium under conditions that result in the
in-situ formation of an emulsifier, and (4) initiating free radical polymerization.
