Advantages of emulsion polymerization include:[3]
High molecular weight polymers can be made at fast polymerization rates. By contrast, in bulk and solution free radical polymerization, there is a tradeoff between molecular weight and polymerization rate.
The continuous water phase is an excellent conductor of heat, enabling fast polymerization rates without loss of temperature control.
Since polymer molecules are contained within the particles, the viscosity of the reaction medium remains close to that of water and is not dependent on molecular weight.
The final product can be used as is and does not generally need to be altered or processed.
Disadvantages of emulsion polymerization include:
Surfactants and other polymerization adjuvants remain in the polymer or are difficult to remove
For dry (isolated) polymers, water removal is an energy-intensive process
Emulsion polymerizations are usually designed to operate at high conversion of monomer to polymer. This can result in significant chain transfer to polymer.
Can not be used for condensation, ionic or Ziegler-Natta polymerization, although some exceptions are known.