Synthesis and properties study of alkali soluble resin fortified polyacrylate latex

Abstract

Latex films with high heat resistance tend to have higher Tg and the emulsion minimum film formation temperature (MFFT) is higher. Higher MFFT latexes do not produce continuous coherent films at low temperatures during application. Consequently, in order to solve the paradoxical problem of obtaining latex films with high Tg at low emulsion MFFT, a series of alkali soluble resin (ASR) stabilized latexes were synthesized in this study using a semi‐continuous pre‐emulsification polymerization process. The microstructure of latex particles, polymerization stability, composition and properties of latex films were characterized and tested by ATR‐FTIR, TEM, ZETA potential analyzer, DSC, orthomorphic metallographic microscope, and gloss tester. The results show that the addition of ASR reduces the content of coagulum during polymerization and significantly increases the number of latex particles. The high Tg ASR also induces the formation of a microphase separation structure with a dual glass transition in the latex film, which improves heat resistance. Additionally, hydroplasticized ASR reduces emulsion MFFT, improves latex film flatness, and enhances its glossiness. The introduction of ASR acts as a dual role of synergy with conventional ionic surfactants during synthesis to increase the stability of composite latexes and with polyacrylate (PA) in application to enhance its properties.