Acrylic monomers based emulsion copolymer for coating application

Methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate copolymers with varying percentage of methacrylic acids and 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate were synthesized using emulsion polymerization technique for coating application. Nonyl phenol ethylene oxide condensate and sodium lauryl sulphate were used as the emulsifiers. Potassium persulphate was used as initiator. The copolymers were characterized by viscosity measurement, proton nuclear magnetic resonance ('HNMR) and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The viscosity of the copolymer increased with the increase in pH, passed through a maximum at pH 8.5 and then decreased with the further increase in pH. 'HNMR study confirmed all the groups present in the copolymers. The copolymers showed good thermal stability and can be used for textile coating application without any external thickening agent.