REACTIVE SURFACTANTS IN HETEROPHASE POLYMERIZATION .6. SYNTHESIS AND SCREENING OF POLYMERIZABLE SURFACTANTS (SURFMERS) WITH VARYING REACTIVITY IN HIGH SOLIDS STYRENE BUTYL ACRYLATE ACRYLIC-ACID EMULSION POLYMERIZATION

Several polymerizable surfactants (surfmers) have been used in the sem icontinuous emulsion copolymerization of styrene, butyl acrylate, and acrylic acid. Three of the (anionic) surfmers (sodium 11-crotonoyl und ecan-1-yl sulfate, sodium 11-methacryloyl undecan-1-sulfate, and sodiu m sulfopropyl tetradecyl maleate) were prepared in house with purities between 53 and 82%. Physicochemical properties such as the critical m icelle concentration, the adsorption isotherm, and the specific adsorp tion area were determined. The surfmers were then used with constant a ddition profiles in semicontinuous reactions, and the instantaneous co nversions of the main monomers determined. The particle size, amount o f coagulum, surface tension, and stability against electrolyte solutio ns of the latices were evaluated. Films were cast of some of the latic es, and the visual appearance and water adsorption were assessed. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.