Synthesis and Characterization of Large Dimension PBA-P(MMA-ITA) Latex Particles with Core-Shell Morphology

In this paper, a novel large dimension poly(n-butyl acrylate)-poly(methyl methacrylate-itaconic acid) (PBA-P(MMA-ITA)) core-shell latex particles (CSR) with diameter of 200nm approximate to 300nm were successfully synthesized via pre-emulsion and semi-continuous seeded emulsion polymerization process. The analysis on the surface tension and coagulation rate of polymeric system, size and distribution of latex particles indicated that the composite emulsifier of sodium dodecyl sulfonate/polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether (SDS/OP-10) had the best emulsified effect. The optimal ratio of SDS/OP-10 was 1:1 and its optimum dosage was 1.0% of monomer amount. FTIR analysis results confirmed that ITA participated in the copolymerization reaction and the chemical bond between P(MMA-ITA) copolymer and PBA core existed in the interfacial of core and shell. DSC analysis results showed that the glass transition temperature (T g) of P(MMA-ITA) copolymer increased with the increase of the ITA dosage and decreased with the increase of the core shell mass ratio. TEM images revealed that CSR particles had core-shell morphology indeed, but the particles' core-shell morphology would be changed at higher ITA dosage and core shell mass ratio. The size of CSR particles was 330nm, and the diameter of PBA core was 290nm. ITA content in the shell of CSR particles was analyzed by non-aqueous acid-base titration. ITA content was the highest at 6% of ITA dosage, ITA amount which chemically bonded with PBA core was the highest at 8% of ITA dosage. When the core shell mass ratio was 60/40, ITA content and ITA amount which grafted onto PBA core were both the highest. ITA content of CSR particles achieved above 1.11% in this work, and it is completely possible for using CSR particles toughening and compatibilizing polyamide 6 (PA 6).