Preparation of polystyrene latex particles by miniemulsion polymerization using a predissolved fluorinated block copolymer as the sole co-stabilizer

The fluorinated block copolymer [P(St-b-DFM)] of styrene (St) and dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFM) was used as the sole co-stabilizer in St miniemulsion instead of the conventional co-stabilizers. The fluorinated block copolymer was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The fluorine content in P(St-b-DFM) was determined based on the relative number–average molecular weight of the macroinitiator and P(St-b-DFM). In St miniemulsion polymerization, the effects of the fluorine content in the block polymer on the size and number of the initial monomer droplets and latex particles were investigated. The ratio of the final number of latex particles to the initial number of monomer droplets was used to discuss the nucleation mechanism. The P(St-b-DFM) copolymers with 6% and 11% fluorine contents had a better effect on the stability of the monomer droplets, and monomer droplet nucleation almost dominated the process of St miniemulsion polymerization. The water contact angle on the surface of the polystyrene latex film demonstrated the surface hydrophobicity, and the surface tension was estimated according to Girifalco–Good–Fowkes–Young equation.