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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst

Published on: April 22, 2016

Ab Initio Emulsion Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Francesca Lorandi¹, Yi Wang¹, Marco Fantin¹

¹Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|May 31, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Stable poly(meth)acrylate latexes with controlled molecular weights and architecture were achieved using ab initio emulsion atom-transfer radical polymerization. This method enables scalable production of advanced polymer materials.

Keywords:

colloids copolymerization emulsion polymerization interfacial catalysis surfactants

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Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Emulsion polymerization is a key industrial process.
Controlling polymer architecture in emulsion systems remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a robust method for synthesizing well-defined poly(meth)acrylate latexes via emulsion polymerization.
To achieve control over molecular weight, distribution, and architecture.

Main Methods:

True ab initio emulsion atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was employed.
Water-soluble initiators and a hydrophilic Cu/tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine catalyst were used.
Catalyst interaction with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) tuned polymerization in hydrophobic particles.

Main Results:

Stable latexes with predetermined molecular weights and narrow distributions were obtained.
Controlled polymer architectures, including block and gradient copolymers, were synthesized in situ.
High solid content (40 vol%) and reaction volumes (100 mL) were achieved, demonstrating scalability.

Conclusions:

The developed emulsion ATRP technique offers precise control over polymer synthesis.
The method is suitable for industrial integration and scale-up.
This approach facilitates the production of advanced functional latex materials.