| Abstract
| - Rate and particle size data for the emulsion polymerization of vinyl neo-decanoate, whereinhibitor/retarder effects are obviated through rigorous purification, can be quantitatively fitted byconventional mechanisms for particle formation and growth, even though the monomer has a very lowwater solubility. These mechanisms are (1) radical entry is by an oligomeric radical (z-mer) arising fromaqueous-phase propagation at a critical degree of polymerization (z between 1 and 2 for this monomer)where the species becomes surface-active, (2) radical loss is by transfer to a species which desorbs intothe aqueous phase and eventually terminates (after reentry into another particle) rather than undergoingfurther propagation, and (3) particle formation is by a z-mer entering a micelle. These hypotheses areconsistent with γ relaxation data which give direct information on radical loss.
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