Studies on preparation and stability of styrene-methyl methacrylate and styrene -methacrylic acid copolymer latices

Abstract

Series of styrene-methyl methacrylate (SM) and styrene-methacrylic acid (SA) copolymer latices have been prepared by emulsion polymerization using polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether as emulsifier and potassium persulphate as initiator. Trace carboxyl groups were detected both in polystyrene latex and styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer latices. The stability and electrophoretic behaviour of these latices against barium chloride have been investigated. The values of the critical coagulation concentration (c. c. c.) increased with increasing methacrylic acid content for SA series latices, while they are almost independent of methyl methacrylate content for SM series latices. The effects of methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid on the change in Hamaker constant were found to be almost identical. The difference inc. c. c. between SM and SA series latices seems to be due to the difference in electrical repulsion caused mainly by carboxyl groups on the surface.