Preaparation of cationic latexes of poly(styrene-CO-butyl acrylate) and their properties evolution in latex dilution

Cationic latexes were prepared through emulsion copolymerization of styrene (St) and butyl acrylate (BA) with a cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Latex properties, including particle size, size distribution, potential, surface tension and monomer conversion, were determined for latexes prepared with different CTAB amounts. Evolution of these properties during emulsion polymerization was followed in order to understand the mechanism of the particles formation. Results showed that both particle size and potential were function of polymerization time and latex solids. Parallel emulsion polymerizations with cationic, anionic charged initiator and charge-free initiators were also carried out, the latex properties were determined at different polymerization time. All these results were attentively interpreted based on the mechanisms of emulsion polymerization, surfactant adsorption and latex particle stabilization.