I have a recipe for emulsion co-polymerization, which contains :
1) surfactant, 2) monomer and 3) its co-monomer, 4) initiator and 5) activator.
From these, i have a sheet to calculate mass for surfactant and initiator, based on mass of monomers. However, i can't find a way to calculate how much activator i need to use.
What is the exact role of activator in emulsion co-polymerisation mechanism ?
Does activator also affects initiator's or surfactant's functioning mechanism ?
Is it possible if i do NOT use any activator at all ?
Best regards
Dear Evren Toptop, the activator role is to enhance the initiator performance or action. Generally, it is a reducing agent. Almost all couples initiator/activator mechanism are availabla in textbooks or by simple internet search. My Regards
One of the best known examples is the use of terriary amine accelerators in combination with peroxide initiators in unstaurated polyester resins. By seleccting the amine/peroxide ratio it is possible to find the optimum half-time for the peroxide.
https://www.pergan.com/files/downloads/Curing_unsaturated_polyester_vinylester_and_acrylate_resins.pdf
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/81051793.pdf
https://www.academia.edu/25994704/Effect_of_polymer-bound_amine_accelerators_on_the_radical-initiated_curing_of_unsaturated_polyesters_with_styrene
Since you are conducting emulsion polymerisation, i assume you may be using a VAZO (VAZO 64 or VAZO 50) initiator.
Without the initiator, you will not get free radical formation to polymerise the monomers. The initiator forms radicals to get the reaction 'started.' You can start with 0.50% initiator if you are using the VAZO initiators.
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