Editing Emulsion polymerization (section)

===Non-surfactant stabilizers===
Some grades of [[polyvinyl alcohol]] and other water-soluble polymers can promote emulsion polymerization even though they do not typically form micelles and do not act as surfactants (for example, they do not lower [[surface tension]]). It is believed that growing polymer chains graft onto these water-soluble polymers, which stabilize the resulting particles.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kim|first1=Noma|last2=Sudol|first2=E. David|last3=Dimonie|first3=Victoria L.|last4=El-Aasser|first4=Mohamed S.|title=Grafting of PVA in Miniemulsion Copolymerizations ofn-Butyl Acrylate and Methyl Methacrylate Using Water-Soluble, Partially Water-Soluble, and Oil-Soluble Initiators|journal=Macromolecules|volume=37|issue=9|year=2004|pages=3180–3187|doi=10.1021/ma035153w|bibcode=2004MaMol..37.3180K }}</ref>

Dispersions prepared with such stabilizers typically exhibit excellent colloidal stability (for example, dry powders may be mixed into the dispersion without causing coagulation). However, they often result in products that are very water sensitive due to the presence of the [[water-soluble polymer]].