ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the relevance of a thorough and systematic research for an optimal formulation through two typical examples of polymerization in single-phase "bicontinuous" microemulsions which hopefully can serve as a guideline for "globular" microemulsions. The first example deals with the synthesis of hydrophobic porous solid materials formed by polymerization of a bicontinuous microemulsion in which a cross-linking agent is incorporated. The second example deals with the synthesis of hydrophilic linear polymers of ultra-high molecular weights. As for the polymerization of other water-soluble monomers in microemulsions, the process is characterized by a very high rate of polymerization, since complete conversion is achieved in less than 30 min. The optimal formulation of the monomer-containing microemulsions was achieved by using a similar approach to the so-called cohesive energy ratio concept developed by Beerbower and Hill for the stability of classical emulsions. The chapter compares the molecular weights and intrinsic viscosities of sodium-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate/acrylamide copolymers prepared in emulsion and microemulsion.
