Reactive surfactants in heterophase polymerization. XVI. Emulsion copolymerization of styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid in the presence of simple maleate reactive surfactants

Abstract

This study deals with the influence of a copolymerizable surfactant on the stability of lattices. Two main reactive surfactants, one anionic and one nonionic, both containing a reactive part issued from maleic anhydride, were engaged in seeded emulsion polymerizations of styrene-co-butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid. The importance of the polymerization conditions clearly appears through the incorporation yield of the surfmers: When good conditions are used, this yield can be as high as 80%. Once stable lattices are synthesized, with a great incorporation of the surfactant, the stability of the colloid (against freeze–thawing cycles or in the presence of concentrated divalent electrolyte solutions) is then largely improved. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2768–2776, 2000