The synthesis and characterization of vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate emulsion copolymers by using various emulsifying agents and investigation of thermal and colloidal properties

Poly(vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate) latexes were synthesized by applying semi-batch emulsion polymerization. Copolymerizations were carried out keeping constant monomer ratio as 85:15 for vinyl acetate/butyl acrylate, in the presence of N-methylol acrylamide as protective colloid, ammonium persulfate as thermal initiator, sodium lauryl ether sulfate as anionic emulsifier and 30 mole etoxylated nonyl phenol as nonionic emulsifier, which were used in different percentage into total emulsifier, and in each percentage various concentrations. The copolymer latexes were characterized total solid content and conversion by gravimetric analyses, original latex viscosities by Brookfield viscometer, average particle sizes of copolymer latexes by Zetasizer, surface tension by du Nouy tensiometer, and glass transition temperatures by differential scanning calorimeter. Keywords: Vinyl acetate, butyl acrylate, anionic emulsifier, N-methylol acrylamide, copolymer latex