Acid distribution in carboxylated vinyl‐acrylic latexes

Abstract

Abstract Distribution of acid groups in carboxylated vinyl‐acrylic latexes has been determined by a combination of aqueous conductometric and nonaqueous potentiometric titrations. Titrations analysis of vinyl acrylic latexes, in comparison to earlier reported studies with carboxylated polystyrene and all acrylic latexes, is complicated by the presence of acetic acid which originates from the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate. Most of the copolymerized carboxylic acid is located at the latex particle surface with some of it being buried within the particle. No serum phase polymeric carboxylic acid is detected. Polymerization conditions and the choice of the carboxylic monomer affect acid distribution. Effect of acid distribution on some latex properties is also discussed.