Surfactant assisted solution spray synthesis of stabilized prussian blue and iron oxide for preparation of nanolatex composites

Abstract

Nanoparticles find wide applications as nanopigments in the field of surface coatings. Their role in enhancement of durability, transparency, scratch resistance, thixotropy, dispersion stability, etc., has been discussed. The aim of the present investigation was to conduct synthesis of nanoparticles, viz., prussian blue (Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3) and iron oxide, which are widely used as prime pigments in paints. The syntheses of nanosize pigments by different routes, however, were associated with difficulties of regulating particle size distribution and stabilizing this distribution. In the present work, use of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, sodium dodecyl sulfate, Tween 80, and potassium dodecyl benzene sulfonate as surfactant and contact of precursor and precipitator in atomized mode as means of stabilizing particle size within the range of 12–32nm has been established. IR, x-ray powder diffraction, and color matching monitored the synthesis. It was observed that finer tuning of particle size of prussian blue and ferric oxide in the presence of surfactant was governed by viscosity, spray pressure, degree of atomization, and surfactant/reactant concentration. Acrylate latex nanocomposites were prepared through emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and methylacrylic acid in the presence of prussian blue. The mechanical, stability, and rheological characteristics of nanolatex paints were determined and interpreted. Single step surfactant modified solution spray synthesis at ambient temperature thus presents a feasible technique suitable for the production of nanoparticles at industrial scale.