ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that a surfactant can act in emulsion polymerization in two basic ways: either entirely physical or additionally chemical. It summarizes the chain-transfer constants of some frequently employed monomers to various molecules, which represent important building blocks of surfactant molecules such as aryl, alkyl and ethoxy groups. The physical actions of surfactants are much more important as they are essential for emulsion polymerization, i.e. that means for the creation and stabilization of the heterogeneous reaction system. Thus, the consequences of physical actions of surfactants on the kinetics and mechanism of emulsion polymerization during the period of main monomer consumption are mainly partitioning effects between the continuous, aqueous and the dispersed, organic phase. The chapter also summarizes the actions of surfactants in emulsion polymerization into four categories: solubilization; stabilization; suitability; and sustainability and support. All individual parts of this S-series are linked to the surface or the interfacial areas in the emulsion polymerization system.
