Are all growing active chain-ends located at the surface of the dispersed particle in the living dispersion polymerization system?

Abstract

:Synthesis of functionalized disperse polystyrenes was successfully performed through living dispersion polymerization (LDP)' following surface-functionalization. The dispersed polymers were characterized by a combination of H-1 NMR, FT-IR, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis, and titration. The LDP methodology led to the production of not only the quantitative surface-carboxylated but also the surface-hydroxylated dispersed polystyrenes. It was found that 70 similar to 90 mol% of the active and growing chain-ends in the LDP were located at the surface of the dispersed polymer particle on the basis of the functionalization yields.