Ethoxylated nonyl phenols and ethoxylated fatty alcohols-ceric ion redox systems for aqueous polymerization of vinyl monomers

Ethoxylated nonyl phenols, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, and ceric ammonium nitrate redox systems were used for the polymerization of vinyl and acrylic monomers such as acrylonitrile, styrene, and acrylic acid. The initiating radical was formed on reducing organic compound which in turn initiated polymerization to give polymers containing chain ends of ethoxylated nonyl phenols and ethoxylated fatty alcohols that showed much higher water absorption. The effects of the concentration of Ce+4 salt, ethoxylated nonyl phenols, and monomers on both the yield and the molecular weight of corresponding polymers were studied. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 310–313, 2001