Polystyrene/polybutadiene nanostructured latexes with high solids content and low environmental impact

RONCO, LUDMILA I.; MINARI, ROQUE J.; MEIRA, GREGORIO R.; GUGLIOTTA, LUIS M.

Florianopolis

Congreso; 12º Congresso Brasileiro de Polímeros; 2013

ABPOL

The incorporation of polybutadiene (PB) in waterborne polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization is expected to positive combine the properties of both materials, improving the impact resistance and toughness of the final product. The miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in the presence of PB, employing high solids content (50%), and the post-polymerization conditions to efficiently reduce the residual monomer in the final latex were investigated. Differences in both polymerization kinetics and polymer structure were obtained by varying the initiator (potasium persulfate, or benzoyl peroxide) in the polymerization process. Redox initiators proved to practically eliminate the residual monomer (less than 50 ppm) during a post-polymerization, while the post-treatment by styrene thermal initiation (at 120-130ºC) reduced the free monomer up to 300 ppm. The involved mechanisms in such processes were discussed.