Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of n-butyl methacrylate in an aqueous dispersed system

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) was conducted in an aqueous dispersed system. The influence of the surfactant, catalyst, reaction time and temperature on the colloidal stability and the control of polymerization was investigated. As a result, using an azo initiator (AIBN), a non-ionic surfactant (Brij 35) and a hydrophobic ligand (dNbpy) to complex a copper halide, polymers with predetermined molecular weight and low polydispersity were obtained as stable latexes. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.