Suspension Polymerization of Styrene with Tricalcium Phosphate as Stabilizer

Suspension Polymerization of Styrene with Tricalcium Phosphate as Stabilizer

Suspension polymerizations of styrene were conducted in the aqueous phase with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as a stabilizer and $\alpha$, $\alpha$'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator. Various amounts of initiator and stabilizer were selected and the reaction was carried out at a selected temperature between 60 to 80 $\^{C}$. It was found that the combination of 5 wt% stabilizer and 2.427$\times$10$\^$-3/ mol/L of costabilizer is the minimum amount for suspension polymerization reaction to produce particles in the aqueous phase. Particles were found to be polydisperse in diameter, regardless of reaction conditions. Class transitions were observed to be around 95$\^{C}$, nearly independent of reaction temperature and initiator. Homogenizer was found to be essential in forming particles in the proximity of tens of micrometers in diameter in suspension polymerization with TCP as stabilizer.