Uniform poly(vinyl acetate) particles by radiation-induced dispersion polymerization in polar media

Micron-sized poly(vinyl acetate) particles were produced directly by radiation-induced dispersion polymerization in aqueous alcohol media using poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a steric stabilizer at room temperature. This method takes advantages of the specialities of radiation-induction, and highly uniform polymer microspheres were obtained. The effects of stabilizer content and medium polarity on the particle size and the size distribution were investigated. Based on the experimental results and radiation grafting theory, the stabilization mechanisms were discussed primarily.