Semicontinuous emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate IX. Decomposition of the initiator

The way in which the decomposition reaction of a persulfate initiator is influenced by the nature of reactants of the polymerization medium and by the working conditions during the semicontinuous polymerization and copolymerization of vinyl acetate is studied. The rate of the splitting reaction of potassium persulfate is higher in the aqueous phase containing a protective colloid and surfactant. The splitting rate is smaller in the presence of vinyl acetate. The presence of hydrophobic commonomers decreases the rate of initiator decomposition. An increase of the addition rate of monomers leads to an increase of the obtained polymer and of the splitting rate of the initiator.