Properties and characterization of cross-linked VAc-VeoVa10 latex emulsified with reactive surfactants

PurposeThe traditional vinyl ester of neodecanoic acid-vinyl acetate (VeoVa10-VAc) copolymer latex is a linear structure with poor film formation, thus causing solvent resistance and wear resistance of the latex film to be poor. This study aims to investigate the use of cross-linkers in emulsion polymerization to modify the latex. During the course of film formation, the reactive functional groups react to form cross-linkage. The network structure can effectively improve the compactness of the resin, thereby greatly improving the water resistance, solvent resistance and heat resistance of the resultant film. In addition, the reactive emulsifier is used to replace the conventional emulsifier. Thus, the drawbacks of the conventional emulsifier molecules migrate and desorb can be avoided when the polymer latex is stored.Design/methodology/approachThe cross-linked VAc-VeoVa10 latex has been synthesized with the reactive surfactants, in which VAc and VeoVa10 are used as the main monomers and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was used as the cross-linked monomer. Potassium persulfate (KPS) and mixed surfactants of alkyl allyl polyoxyethylene ether ammonium sulfate (JS-20) and allyl nonyl phenol polyoxyethylene ether (ANPEO-10) were used as the initiator and emulsifier, respectively. The structure of resultant latex film was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The latex films were tested by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and contact angle (CA). The particle size and its distribution of the latex were measured by the nano particle size analyzer.FindingsThe factors that had an influence on the properties of the latex and the film were investigated in detail. The stability of the resultant latex is good. The average particles of the latex and its distribution are small and uniform, respectively. In comparison with the conventional latex film, the thermal stability and hydrophobicity of the resultant latex film are improved obviously.Practical implicationsThe resultant latex can be used in both the waterborne interior and exterior wall coatings, pickering stabilized waterborne polymer dispersions, polymer powders, environmentally friendly polymer-modified waterproof mortar and other fields, which can be satisfied with the high demand of thermal stability and hydrophobicity.Originality/valueThe modification of poly (VAc-VeoVa10) by reactive emulsifier and cross-linker is seldom reported. In this study, the cross-linked poly (VAC-VeoVa) latex is prepared through the reactive surfactants, with VAc and VeoVa10 used as the main monomers and EGDMA used as the cross-linked monomer. KPS and mixed surfactants of JS-20 and ANPEO-10 are used as the initiator and emulsifier, respectively.