Preparation and Properties of Anionic Polymer Emulsion in the Presence of a Reactive Surfactant

Abstract

Stable polymer emulsion derived from Butyl Methacrylate (BMA), 4-vinyl pyridine (4-VP), vinylidene chloride (VDC) and divinylbenzene (DVB) with different size and distribution were prepared through soapless emulsion polymerization by using a reactive surfactant and a redox initiator. The influences of the quality ratio of the reactive surfactant to the monomers and the dosages of the cross-linking agent on the stability and thermal properties of the emulsion were studied. The obtained polymer nano-particles have higher ξ potential, and the particle sizes have narrow distribution. This polymerization system can give some further understanding on the mechanism of emulsion polymerization .The solid content of the emulsion could be as high as 40% and the particle sizes could be adjusted in the range of 40-300nm. Otherwise, using infrared spectroscopy, size and ξ analyzer, gravitational thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimeter, properties of the emulsion latex were tested. This kind of latex may have applications in the development of water-developable thermal-sensitive material system.