Hybrid Polystyrene/Polybutadiene Latexes With Low Environmental Impact

Abstract

The polybutadiene incorporation in waterborne polystyrene nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization improves the toughness of the final product. Unfortunately, the polymerization does not proceed to completion, remaining a high level of unreacted monomer. This work addresses the implementation of two post‐treatment methods to efficiently remove the residual styrene from polybutadiene/polystyrene latexes with 50% of solid content: i) post‐polymerization with redox initiators; and ii) post‐polymerization by thermal initiation of styrene at high temperature (≥120 °C). The mechanisms responsible of the effects of both post‐treatments on the properties of hybrid materials are here discussed.

High Solid Acrylic–Melamine Latexes with Tunable Crosslinking Capability

“…Miniemulsion polymerization represents an alternative for synthesizing latexes with the efficient compatibilization of a preformed resin in the polymer particles. Miniemulsion polymerization was previously employed for producing alkyd/acrylic, polyurethane/acrylic, and polybutadiene/polystyrene nanoparticles . Recently, miniemulsion polymerization was successfully employed for synthesizing 20% solid content acrylic/MF latexes with post‐crosslinking capability as an alternative for avoiding face components separation during film formation .…”

Process‐Guided Product Design of Hybrid Polymer Materials

“…Gugliotta and coworkers address to a problem often encountered in the production of polymer–polymer hybrids by miniemulsion polymerization: the limiting conversion achieved at the end of the regular process. Polystyrene/polybutadiene (PS/PBD) latexes are considered.…”

“…Furthermore, he presents the portfolio of different morphologies that can be formed attempting to encapsulate clays by emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization. Gugliotta and coworkers [4] address to a problem often encountered in the production of polymer-polymer hybrids by miniemulsion polymerization: the limiting conversion achieved at the end of the regular process. Polystyrene/polybutadiene (PS/PBD) latexes are considered.…”