Highly crosslinked micron-size monodispersed PMMA/PDVB and PS/PDVB particles were prepared using seeded multi-stage emulsion polymerization. PMMA and PS seed particles were synthesized by seeded multi-stage emulsion polymerization and soap-free emulsion polymerization. Then PMMA/PDVB and PS/PDVB particles were obtained using semi-batch type emulsion polymerized using divinyl benzene as a cross-linkable monomer in the presence of seed particles. PMMA particles with size of ca. 730 nm and polydispersity of 1.03 were successfully prepared in this experiment. PS particles with size of ca. 1.5 μm and polydispersity of 1.01 were prepared in this experiment. Highly crosslinked PS/PDVB particles with size of ca. 1.3 μm and polydispersity of 1.00 were obtained.

Film properties of monodispersed model composite latexes with particle size of 190 nm, which consist of n-butyl acrylate as a soft phase monomer and methyl methacrylate as a hard phase monomer with different morphology was examined. Five different types of model latexes were used in this study such as random copolymer particle, soft-core/hard-shell particle, hard-core/soft-shell particle, gradient type particle, and mixed type particle. Tensile strength and tensile elongation at break of final films were evaluated. Those properties can be interpreted in terms of PBA/PMMA phase ratio and their morphology. The interfacial adhesion strength was also evaluated using 180˚ peel strength measurement and cross hatch cutting test.

In this study, various model composite latexes were synthesized using n-butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate as comonomers by seeded multi-staged emulsion polymerization. Monodispersed model composite latex particles with size of 190 nm and polydispersity index of 1.05, which have various morphology including random copolymer particle, soft-core/hard-shell particle, hard-core/soft shell particle, and gradient-type copolymer particle, homopolymers particles were prepared. The designed morphology of model composite particles were confirmed.