Dispersion polymerization

In polymer science, dispersion polymerization is a heterogeneous polymerization process carried out in the presence of a polymeric stabilizer in the reaction medium. Dispersion polymerization is a type of precipitation polymerization, meaning the solvent selected as the reaction medium is a good solvent for the monomer and the initiator, but is a non-solvent for the polymer. As the polymerization reaction proceeds, particles of polymer form, creating a non-homogeneous solution. In dispersion polymerization these particles are the locus of polymerization, with monomer being added to the particle throughout the reaction. In this sense, the mechanism for polymer formation and growth has features similar to that of emulsion polymerization. With typical precipitation polymerization, the continuous phase (the solvent solution) is the main locus of polymerization, which is the main difference between precipitation and dispersion.