APE-Free Surfactants for Emulsion Polymerization of Latexes with Higher Solids Content

摘要

The use of APE-free surfactants is a well-known driver for new product developments in the coatings industry. Surfactants that can be a simple replacement of traditional APE surfactants, especially when they open new application routes without excessive cost increase, are preferred by paint and latex formulators. In this work, the role of APE-free surfactants on nucleation and growth of styrene-acrylic latex particles will be presented, and additionally, the use of these surfactants for developing latexes with higher solids content will also be demonstrated. The APE-free surfactant compositions investigated in this paper have optimum ratios of anionic and non-ionic surfactants in order to control particle size, minimize coagulum formation, and generate latexes with high electrosteric and mechanical stabilities. This is all while achieving solids content ranging from 48-63 wt%. Finally, the previously described latexes will be utilized in a variety of decorative paints with PVC ranging from 30-80%. The properties of these coatings will be examined using wet scrub resistance, hiding power, hardness, and gloss in order to prove the effectiveness of the latexes produced with new APE-free surfactants.