Isobornyl acrylate, a highly hydrophobic monomer, was batch-polymerized in both emulsion and miniemulsion recipes. Surfactant levels above and below the critical micelle concentration were used, as were two different initiator types: ionic (potassium persulfate) and nonionic (t-butyl hydroperoxide) Samples were analyzed for degree of conversion, molecular weight, and particle size. The effects of reaction type (emulsion versus miniemulsion), surfactant level, type of initiator (ionic versus nonionic) of the polymer properties are discussed. Issues of monomer transport across the aqueous phase, and mechanisms of nucleation, especially at very low surfactant concentrations are discussed. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.