abstract |
The invention provides a process for the preparation of polymer latex by emulsification of an initiator or initiator mixture and optionally a solvent in the presence of emulsifier in water in a first step and adding a monomer and polymerizing in a second step. The process is carried out by emulsifying an essentially water-insoluble initiator or initiator mixture in the first step at a temperature above the melting point of the initiator or initiator mixture if no solvent is used, and below its decomposition temperature, optionally together with an essentially water-insoluble liquid solvent, which forms a liquid solution together with the initiator or the initiator mixture at the emulsification temperature, then, in a second step adding monomer, possibly additional emulsifier and that part of the desired amount of water which was not added in the first step, and initiating polymerization as per se known by heating. |