Radical‐intiated copolymers of styrene and p‐formaylstyrene, 2. Preparation and characterization of emulsifier‐free copolymer latices

Monodisperse copolymer latex particles with aldehyde groups at the surface have been prepared by a two‐step process, comprising first a soap‐free emulsion polymerization of styrene using potassium peroxodisulfate as an initiator and secondly a surface functionalization of the seed particles by copolymerizing p‐formylstyrene (system. name: 4‐vinylbenzaldehyde) using various addition methods. The final latices were characterized with respect to monomer conversion, copolymer composition, particle size and distribution. Particular attention was paid to the characterization of surface aldehyde groups using two different analytical methods such as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and radioactive labelling by coupling with (1‐3H1)‐2‐aminoethanol.