Abstract

Emulsion polymerization is one of the predominant processes used for commercial polymerization of numerous materials, including latex paints, adhesives, and synthetic rubber. In a typical process, polymerization is started when an initiator is dissolved into an aqueous phase that contains an emulsified suspension of 1- to 10-μm-diameter immiscible droplets of monomer. As the reaction progresses, the monomer droplets are slowly converted into particles of polymer or copolymer, which remain suspended in the aqueous phase. During this process, it is important to monitor the progress of conversion of monomer into polymer, particularly during the early phases of polymerization. Since water is the predominant component in most emulsion reactors, Raman scattering should be an effective method for monitoring changes in composition because of its relative immunity to interference from the aqueous background.

Improved Chemical Method for Hypersensitization of Infrared Emulsions*

Edwin S. Barker
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(10) 1378-1382 (1968)

Effect of the finishing oil of acrylic fibers in the optical rotation of the Raman scattered light

I. Rosales-Candelas, J. J. Soto-Bernal, R. Gonzalez-Mota, and C. Frausto-Reyes
Opt. Express 21(21) 25544-25552 (2013)

Optical thickness monitoring sensitivity improvement using graphical methods

Ronald R. Willey
Appl. Opt. 26(4) 729-737 (1987)

Enhanced spontaneous Raman scattering and gas composition analysis using a photonic crystal fiber

Michael P. Buric, Kevin P. Chen, Joel Falk, and Steven D. Woodruff
Appl. Opt. 47(23) 4255-4261 (2008)

Fiber-optic scattering monitor for use with bulk opaque material

P. C. F. Borsboom and J. J. ten Bosch
Appl. Opt. 21(19) 3531-3535 (1982)