The morphology of polybutylacrylate–polystyrene (PBA–PS) core‐shell latex particles prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization was investigated as a function of the addition method of styrene (St). The thin layer chromatography/flame ionization detector (TLC–FID) technique was used to characterize the morphology of the core‐shell latexes. It was found that grafting PS to the PBA core occurs during seeded emulsion polymerization. The percentage of grafting depended on the method of addition of St, being greatest for the batch reaction, less for the preswollen batch reaction, and least for the semibatch reaction. Upon aging the PBA core‐polymer migrated out of the latex particles with a low degree of grafting to form dumbellshaped particles, whereas the PBA–PS core‐shell particles with a high degree of grafting remained spherical because of the emulsifying ability of graft copolymer.

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Functionality distributions of telechelic prepolymers have been determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Commercially available 1,2-polybutadienes having either carboxyl or hydroxyl groups were examined. TLC with p-xylene as the developer made it possible to separate the sample into a nonfunctional component and a mixture of mono- and difunctional components. Complete separation of the sample into the three components was achieved by selecting the developer and development procedure appropriately. Quantification of the chromatograms was performed successfully in a TLC apparatus equipped with a flame ionisation detector. A simple method for the determination of the functionality distribution was proposed.