Influence of Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol on Polymer Diffusion in Poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) Latex Films

Abstract

We describe fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments carried out to examine the effect of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol on the early stages of polymer diffusion in poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) latex films. In our approach, we temporarily arrest the drying process of a wet latex film by sealing the film in a previously cooled airtight sample chamber. This arrests propagation of the drying front and suppresses polymer diffusion during the measurements. We then measure donor fluorescence decays from 0.5 mm diameter spots at various locations on the film. From our analysis, we obtain information about the earliest stages of polymer diffusion as the film is still drying. We also investigate the effect of these glycols on polymer diffusion at longer aging times on predried latex films. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol retard polymer diffusion at early times immediately after the passing of the drying front but enhance the rate of polymer diffusion at later aging times. This behavior is described quantitatively in terms of free-volume theory and the partitioning of the glycols between the aqueous and polymer phases in the film.

Influence of coalescing aids on the latex properties and film formation of waterborne coatings

“…According to the model proposed by Kiil, the coalescence of latex particles begins immediately after they come into contact. Schroeder et al . confirmed that a large amount of polymer interdiffusion can occur before the particles are fully deformed.…”

Photoreactive Nanoparticles as Nanometric Building Blocks for the Generation of Self‐Healing Hydrogel Thin Films

“…Formation of films from the microgels : To study the photoinduced dimerization reaction of the cinnamate‐functionalized microgels for application as coatings, films of each sample were formed by drop‐casting 0.1 mL of each suspension onto various surfaces, such as glass, quartz (for UV/Vis measurements), and scratch‐resistant silicon wafers (see “Self‐healing ability of the films” section), and drying under controlled conditions of humidity and temperature. Microgel dispersions were cast onto the substrates and allowed to dry at room temperature and 54 % humidity 21. Representative SEM images for each system are shown in Figure 2.…”

“…Each suspension (0.1 mL) was drop‐cast onto the substrates (quartz and silicon wafers). To control the humidity level during drying, the dispersion was placed after casting for 24 h into a small chamber containing a saturated aqueous solution of magnesium nitrate, which fixed the relative humidity within 54±1 %,21 followed by another 24 h under ambient conditions. Both the casting and the drying processes were performed under oxygen‐free conditions.…”

A fluorescence approach to investigate repartitioning of coalescing agents in acrylic polymer emulsions

“…Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was recently used by Schroeder et al to study the effect of co-solvents ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG) on polymer diffusion in poly(butylacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) latex films [20]. They synthesized two similar emulsions except that one was labeled with the energy donor phenanthrene and the other with the acceptor aminobenzophenone.…”