Polymer latex containing carboxylic acid functional groups. I. Synthesis of polymer latex from MMA and AA

The polymer latex of poly(MMA-AA) was synthesized using two techniques: soa pless seeded emulsion polymerization, and the soapless emulsion copolymeriz ation technique. The reaction kinetics, morphology, composition, and size o f latex particles, as well as the structure using thin-layer chromatographi c separation techniques, glass transition temperature (T-g), and molecular weight of polymer products, were studied under different experimental condi tions. The reaction of the hydrophilic AA monomer took place in two places- on or in the latex particles, and in the water phase. Therefore, the polyme r latex, whose size is very small and uniform, dispersed uniformly all over the PAA continuous phase. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sans, Inc.