Seeded emulsion polymerization of styrene: Incorporation of acrylic acid in latex products

Abstract

Seeded batch emulsion polymerization of styrene and acrylic acid was studied. The influence of pH and acrylic acid content on the polymerization rate and the amount of carboxylic acid groups incorporated in the final latex products was investigated. The distribution of the functional groups over the aqueous phase, the latex particle surface, and the interior of the latex particle was determined using aqueous conductometric titration and nonaqueous potentiometric titration at intermediate and complete overall conversions. Combined with kinetic results, the carboxylic acid group distribution history provided valuable information about the process of incorporation of acrylic acid in latex products. Two-step processes in which a shot of acrylic acid was performed in the last stage of the emulsion polymerization reaction were investigated as a strategy to increase the surface incorporation efficiency.