Gradient polymer prepared by complex-radical terpolymerization of styrene, maleic anhydride, and N-vinyl pyrrolidone via gamma ray irradiation by use of a RAFT method -: 2.: Used in dispersion polymerization of styrene as a stabilizer

The radiation-induced dispersion polymerization of styrene in an ethanol-water mixture has been investigated using a novel gradient copolymer consisting of styrene-maleic anhydride (St-MA) and maleic anhydride-N-vinyl pyrrolidone (MA-NVP) complexes as a stabilizer. The influence of parameters such as the molar mass, the concentration and the molecular architecture of the gradient copolymers on the colloidal dispersion has been studied. Mono-dispersed polystyrene particles could be obtained in the range of 400-700 nm. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.