Synthesis, characterization of well defined emulsion polymers using various concentrations of different emulsifier and investigation of their colloidal, thermal and surface properties

Poly(vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate) latexes having small particle size, narrow particle size distribution, and desired/defined glass transition temperature (well-defined latex) were synthesized. Copolymerizations were carried out keeping constant monomer ratio of vinyl acetate: butyl acrylate (85:15) at 700C with the using of N-methylol acrylamide as protective colloid, ammonium or potassium persulfate as thermal initiator, sodium lauryl ether sulphate or sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate as anionic emulsifier and 30 mole ethoxylated nonyl phenol as nonionic emulsifier by applying semicontinuous emulsion polymerization. Colloidal properties of the latexes obtained, thermal and surface properties of these latex films were determined. Some of the main components of emulsion polymerization were changed to obtained well-defined latexes, especially emulsifier type, composition, total emulsifier concentration, using of different chain length of anionic emulsifier, and initiator. On the other hand, the effects of these parameters on the colloidal, thermal, and surface properties were clarified. However the synthesizing and characterization of well-defined latexes, modifying some properties of latexes, the suggestion of new application areas of (well-defined) latexes were done.Key words: Emulsion polymerization, well defined latex, latex film, vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate, particule size, surface tension, glass transition temperature, conductivity of latex films.