Studies on Ultrasonic Initiated Copolymerization of Styrene and Acrylate Series

Experiments with styrene (St) and acrylate monomer [methyl acrylate (MA), ethyl acrylate (EA) and butyl acrylate (BA)] prove that copolymerization can be initiated in two monomers with intense ultrasound. Within the experimental range, the yields of copolymer increase with rise of ultrasonic intensity, reaction time, temperature and the amount of ion surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)), but decrease with increasing concentration of comonomers. The comonomer ratio and surfactant types have considerable effect on the yield of copolymer. The yield of copolymer is 38.8% by irradiating 10% BA/St (1/1, v/v) at 40°C with 600 w for 1h.