The Variation of Composition of 40 : 60 Isoprene-Styrene Copolymers with Conversion
Abstract There is little published work dealing with the emulsion copolymerization of isoprene and styrene. In ascertaining the effect of varying conditions on the emulsion copolymerization of a 40:60 mixture of isoprene and styrene, an approximately equimolecular mixture, it was observed that the initially formed copolymer contained about 80 per cent of styrene. As the reaction was continued to maximum conversion, the styrene content decreased to approximately 60 per cent. These results show that at this monomer ratio styrene enters the copolymer faster than does isoprene. This behavior is similar to that of styrene when copolymerized with acrylonitrile and with vinylidene chloride. The evidence indicates also that the copolymer is not homogeneous with respect to composition.