Jana Machotova

Characterization of Molecular Structure of Emulsion Acrylic Microgels: Exploring the Impact of Molar Mass on Coating Properties of Self-Cross-Linkable Latexes

ABSTRACT Self-cross-linkable latexes of core–shell microgel particles were synthesized by the emulsion polymerization of acrylic monomers. The molar mass of copolymers forming the shell layer was gradually reduced by isooctyl 3-mercaptopropionate included in the synthesis of the shell layers. The molar mass distribution of latex particles was determined using size exclusion chromatography and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation, respectively, both separation methods being coupled with a multiangle light scattering detector. The results confirmed theoretical predictions and described empirically the effects of molar mass of the shell layer copolymer on decreasing the minimum film-forming temperature and influencing the end-use properties of coatings. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Investigation of the effect of molar mass on coating properties of self-crosslinking latexes based on acrylic microgels

Abstract The effect of reducing the molar mass of the shell layer of core–shell latex particles on film-forming and final coating properties of self-crosslinking latexes was investigated. Latex particles were prepared by the semi-continuous non-seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate and methacrylic acid as main monomers. The particle core was slightly cross-linked (using a constant amount of allyl methacrylate as a comonomer) to prevent the copolymers forming the core phase from migration into the shell phase. For interfacial cross-linking, diacetone acrylamide was copolymerized into the shell layer of latex particles to provide sites for subsequent reaction with adipic acid dihydrazide. The molar mass of copolymers forming the shell layer was systematically varied by isooctyl 3-mercaptopropionate chain transfer agent included in the synthesis of each of the shell layers and the molar mass distribution was determined using size exclusion chromatography coupled with a multi-angle light scattering detection. Fundamental properties of latexes and cast films were systematically compared. These properties included minimum film-forming temperature, pendulum hardness, adhesion, impact resistance, stress–strain properties as well as the characterization of water absorption. The results confirmed theoretical predictions and described empirically the effects of reducing the molar mass of the shell layer copolymer on final properties of coating films.

Preparation of Two-Layer Anion-Exchange Poly(ethersulfone) Based Membrane: Effect of Surface Modification

The present work deals with the surface modification of a commercial microfiltration poly(ethersulfone) membrane by graft polymerization technique. Poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene-co-4-vinylbenzylchloride) surface layer was covalently attached onto the poly(ethersulfone) support layer to improve the membrane electrochemical properties. Followed by amination, a two-layer anion-exchange membrane was prepared. The effect of surface layer treatment using the extraction in various solvents on membrane morphological and electrochemical characteristics was studied. The membranes were tested from the point of view of water content, ion-exchange capacity, specific resistance, permselectivity, FT-IR spectroscopy, and SEM analysis. It was found that the two-layer anion-exchange membranes after the extraction using tetrahydrofuran or toluene exhibited smooth and porous surface layer, which resulted in improved ion-exchange capacity, electrical resistance, and permselectivity of the membranes.

High-performance one-pack ambient cross-linking latex binders containing low-generation PAMAM dendrimers and ZnO nanoparticles

This study focuses on ambient-temperature self-crosslinking acrylic latex coating compositions containing poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers and ZnO nanoparticles in the role of inter-particle cross-linking agents and flash rust inhibitors. Low-generation amine-terminated PAMAM dendrimers as aqueous solutions were added into latices containing diacetone acrylamide repeat units in their polymer structure. The incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles (without any surface treatment) was performed during the synthesis of a polymer dispersion carried out by the semi-continuous emulsion polymerization technique. The latex storage stability and coating performance with respect to zinc oxide and PAMAM presence were evaluated and compared with a conventional zinc oxide-free coating composition containing adipic acid dihydrazide as the cross-linking agent. It was found that the novel latices containing both PAMAM dendrimers and ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a long-term storage stability and provided crosslinked transparent coating films of high gloss, enhanced mechanical properties, solvent resistance and excellent water whitening resistance. Moreover, the latex compositions containing PAMAM dendrimers as the inter-particle cross-linkers were shown to provide flash rust resistance.

Synthesis and Application of Hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene as Flame Retardant in Latex Coatings

ABSTRACT The paper deals with a novel flame retardant and its application in waterborne coatings. The flame retardant was synthesized from hexachloro-cyclo-triphosphazene by nucleophilic substitution with allylamine. Functionalized emulsion copolymers bearing in the structure hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene were prepared by the semicontinuous emulsion polymerization. The latexes were used as the main component of transparent coating systems cured by melamine formaldehyde resin. The incorporation hexaallylamino-cyclo-triphosphazene did not affect transparency, flexibility, and toughness of resulting coatings and increased their flame stability in terms of the amount of smoke release and maximum average rate of heat emission indicating a slower flame spread during the material combustion. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Electrospinning of Styrene–Ethyl Acrylate Emulsion Copolymers: Exploring the Impact of Polymer Polarity and Glass Transition Temperature on Fiber Formation and Hydrophobicity

ABSTRACT In this study, the spinnability of styrene–ethyl acrylate copolymers prepared via emulsion polymerization was explored with the aim to establish the influence of glass transition temperature and polymer composition on morphological features of electrospun materials with regard to their hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature. Nonwoven mats from polymer solutions in N,N′-dimethylformamide were spun using the electrospinning method (Nanospider™ device). It was demonstrated that changing the copolymer polarity and glass transition temperature by copolymer composition or utilizing different supporting materials might lead to nanofiber webs with controlled hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties, which predetermines them for a wide range of applications such as protective textiles, composites, etc. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Application of A4F-MALS for the Characterization of Polymers Prepared by Emulsion Polymerization: Comparison of the Molecular Structure of Styrene-Acrylate and Methyl Methacrylate-Acrylate Copolymers

ABSTRACT In this paper, organic asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled to a multi-angle light scattering detector is presented as a very efficient tool for the characterization of copolymers prepared by emulsion polymerization. The molar mass distribution and the extent of branching of styrene–acrylate copolymers have been compared with corresponding copolymers of methyl methacrylate. It has been found that the presence of acrylate monomer results in the increase of molar mass and formation of branched macromolecules due to intermolecular chain transfer to polymer similarly as in case of methyl methacrylate–acrylate copolymers. However, the effect is far less pronounced. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Determination of molar mass of structured acrylic microgels: effect of molar mass on coating properties of self-crosslinking latexes

The film formation process of emulsion polymers may be affected seriously by introducing the self-crosslinking chemistry. In order to possess increased final coating properties, a balance between chemical crosslinking and polymer chain mobility resulting in sufficient inter-diffusion and entanglement of polymer chains during the particle coalescence stage has to be maintained, which can be tuned significantly by varying the molar mass of emulsion copolymers. The self-crosslinking latexes of core-shell microgel particles were synthesized by the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate as main monomers. The particle core was slightly crosslinked using allyl methacrylate, to prevent the copolymers forming the core phase from migration into the shell phase. For inter-particle crosslinking, diacetone acrylamide was copolymerized into the shell layer of latex particles to provide sites for subsequent reaction with adipic acid dihydrazide. The molar mass of copolymers forming the shell layer was systematically reduced by isooctyl 3-mercaptopropionate included in the synthesis of shell layers. The molar mass distribution of latex particles was determined using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (A4F), respectively, both separation methods being coupled with a multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detector. Whereas SEC-MALS was found to be convenient for the characterization of low molar mass shell copolymers without crosslinked structure, A4F-MALS was proved as a very efficient technique for the characterization of high molar mass copolymers and core-shell microgels. The results described empirically the effects of molar mass of the shell layer copolymer on influencing the end-use properties of coatings.

Rubber Modified Epoxy-Cyanate Ester Composites as Matrices for Tagging of Explosives

The present study deals with the possibility to utilize blends of rubber modified epoxy and cyanate ester resins as thermal and mechanical resistant polymeric matrices for tagging of explosives. It has been shown that a composite material consisting of a polymeric matrix made of cyanate ester resin and brominated epoxy resin modified with carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, an ultraviolet light active pigment and a coding system represented by metal oxides mixture and iron powder bearing ferromagnetic properties could be successfully applied for tagging of explosives. A positive identification of a tested explosive comprising the tagging elements after detonation was proved.