Dispersion medium (emulsion polymerizations)

  In emulsion polymerizations, the dispersion medium, for monomer droplets and polymer particles, is generally water as well as liquids other than water. Water is cheap, inert and environmentally friendly. It provides an excellent heat transfer and low viscosity. It also acts as the medium of transfer of monomer from droplets to particles, the locus of initiator decomposition and oligomer formation, the medium of dynamic exchange of emulsifier between the phases, and the solvent for emulsifier, initiator, and other ingredients.