SURFACE REACTIVE ACETAL FUNCTIONAL WATERBORNE MICROPARTICLES

Small particles have been prepared by means of emulsion polymerization from styrene an ethyl acrylate, using different concentrations of emu lsifier. The particle size can be controlled in the range of 45-85 nm. The particle surface was modified by introducing an acetal functional ity, suitable for acid catalyzed processes. Surface functionalization was performed in two principally different ways. First, by using an ac rylic monomer with acetal functionalities in the polymerization step a nd, second, by means of a surface grafting technique, using nonacrylic monomers. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.