Homogenizer-free miniemulsion polymerization enabled by HLD

Abstract: Miniemulsion polymerization describes a process through which a nanoemulsion of monomers is produced and polymerized. Some advantages it has over traditional emulsion polymerization are the ability to use highly hydrophobic monomers, as well as encapsulation of nonreactive material. Formation of the nanoemulsion almost always requires the use of a homogenizer at industrial scale. This can be disadvantageous, as it complicates the process and not all production sites have this equipment. Through the implementation of HLD (hydrophilic lipophilic difference), the ability to create nanoemulsions with simple mixing is detailed. These nanoemulsions were then polymerized illustrating the ability to perform semibatch miniemulsion polymerization without the need for high energy mixing.