RAFT Emulsion Polymerization: Industrial Development and Challenges

In this thesis, we proposed the “surface cross-linking” concept in a surfactant-free RAFT-mediated emulsion polymerization procedure. Specifically, “surface cross-linking” refers to the nanoparticles’ surfaces can be cross-linked during the film formation process. Firstly, we design and synthesize different functional macro-RAFT agents. The emulsion polymerizations of various monomers are then conducted in the presence of these functional macro-RAFT agents. Diacetone acrylamide/adipic acid dihydrazide (DAAM/ADH), hydroxyl functional monomers/polyisocyanates (polyols/PICs), 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate/1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate (AAEMA/HDMA) are applied in our study. These universal strategies for the synthesis of surfactant-free latexes can be used as platform technologies.