Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in microemulsions catalyzed by CuBr2/Bpy

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene was carried out in a microemulsion system with 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator, CuBr2 and 2'-bipyridine as catalyst/ligand complex, sodium dodecyl sulfate as emulsifier and 1-hexanol as co-emulsifier. The chosen system showed poor control over molecular weight characteristics, though the low values of polydispersity indexes of the polymer were observed. The particle size was decreased with the increase in the amount of catalyst/ligand complex. Additionally, the nucleation prevailed throughout the polymerization process.