Atom transfer radical polymerization in microemulsion and true emulsion polymerization processes

A microemulsion polymerization process, comprising:

• adding a polymerization catalyst, an initiator comprising a radically transferable atom or group, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion;
• and
• adding first radically polymerizable monomers to the emulsion.

An ab-initio emulsion ATRP polymerization process wherein a catalyst or catalyst precursor, an initiator and (co)monomers and optionally solvent, reside predominately in a first formed stable micelle and additional (co)monomer(s) reside in droplets and monomers diffuse from the droplets to the micelles as the polymerization progresses.

A microemulsion ATRP polymerization wherein a catalyst or catalyst precursor, an initiator and comonomers and optionally solvent reside predominately in a micelle with particle size less than 100 nm and the polymerization is initiated by addition of a reducing agent, and wherein the catalyst or catalyst precursor comprises a transition metal and a hydrophobic ligand.

A process for conducting a microemulsion ATRP wherein a catalyst precursor comprising a transition metal, a hydrophobic ligand, and an ATRP initiator comprising one or more radically transferable atoms or groups reside in a stable micelle formed by addition of a solution of the catalyst complex and the ATRP initiator and one or more monomers to an aqueous solution of a surfactant and the catalyst is activated by addition of a water soluble reducing agent thereby initiating the polymerization.