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Nanolatex technology 1: synthesis and characterization of nanosize acrylic latexes and comparison to their conventional size counterparts

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Abstract

For this study, functional precoalescence (internally crosslinked) and postcoalescence (crosslinkable) conventional latexes were made using seeded semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. Nanosize polymer latexes with or without crosslinkable functional groups were made using a modified microemulsion copolymerization process. Films cast from conventional and nanosize latex were characterized using specific end use tests and fundamental properties using dynamic mechanical analysis, modulated differential scanning calorimetry, and atomic force microscopy. This study compares conventional and nanosize latex with respect to the effect of the type and level of crosslinking, particle size and distribution on latex film formation and morphology, and end use and fundamental properties. Nanosize latex films in general have superior gloss, solvent resistance, and adhesion but inferior water resistance. Stress–strain Young’s modulus showed an increase as a function of increasing crosslinker level in the nanosize latex films.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by College of Technology PhD program and the Coatings Research Institute at Eastern Michigan University. This research was also supported by a Doctoral fellowship from the College of Technology at EMU. These supports are greatly appreciated. The authors would especially like to thank Malik, GA, Surface Science Lab, Eastern Michigan University, for AFM imaging of latex samples. The authors acknowledge truly valuable inputs from Dr. Ming for the modified microemulsion process; Dr. Bruce Weiner (Brookhaven Instruments) for discussion of DLS measurements of nanoparticle size latexes, Dr. Vijay Mannari (COT), Paul Ziemer (COT), Ninad Dixit (COT) for their help with troubleshooting the modified microemulsion process and Madhavi Joshi’s help with the synthesis set-up and DMA samples preparation. The authors would especially like to thank Dr. Fred Willard (CAS-MI) and Marty Donbrosky (CAS-MI) for facilitating synthetic experimental supplies and instruments for ASTM characterization tests and MFT determinations and Dr. Brian Hanrahan (Kyowa Hakko USA) for supplying with crosslinking monomers.

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  1. Coatings Research Institute, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA

    Ravi G. Joshi, Frank N. Jones, Theodore Provder & Weidian Shen

  2. Polymer and Coatings Consultants, LLC, 5645A Emerald Ridge Parkway, Solon, OH, 44139, USA

    Theodore Provder

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  1. Ravi G. Joshi
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Correspondence to Theodore Provder.

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Joshi, R.G., Jones, F.N., Provder, T. et al. Nanolatex technology 1: synthesis and characterization of nanosize acrylic latexes and comparison to their conventional size counterparts. J Coat Technol Res 18, 1481–1500 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-021-00475-z

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