Poly(2-acetoxyethyl methacrylate)/polystyrene latex interpenetrating polymer networks with well-defined phase-separated structure

A series of poly (2-acetoxyethyl methacrylate)/polystyrene (PAEMA/PS) latex interpenetrating polymer networks (LIPNs) were prepared by seeded soap-free emulsion polymerization of styrene on the crosslinked PAEMA seed particles using an oil-soluble initiator. These PAEMA/PS LIPNs showed a well-defined phase-separated structure with PS phase dispersing in continuous PAEMA phase. The domain size of PS phase was found to depend on the crosslinking degree of PAEMA seed particles and the amount of second-stage styrene monomer.