discuss the similarities and differences between suspension and emulsion free radical polymerization including advantages and disadvantages of each?
Emulsion polymerization is a chemical process and you need a surfactant to get the monomer emulsify.
You need: a water soluble initiator, a chemical emulsifier, an insoluble (or slightly soluble) monomer in water.
The advantage is: better heat control, the emulsion size is 0.05 - 5 microns.
The disadvantage is: the surfctant is a soap and contaminates the polymer.
Suspension polymerization is a mechanical process and you need a stabilizing agent.
The advantage is: better heat control and the separation is much easier.
The disadvantage is that few monomers are water soluble.
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