Synthesis and characterization of cycloaliphatic diepoxide crosslinkable core-shell latexes

New core-shell acrylic latexes designed for crosslinking with cycloaliphati c diepoxide were prepared. The core was prepared using methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and a-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The shell contained methy l methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid. A strong acid acrylat e was incorporated into the shell to catalyze the crosslinking reactions, a nd provide freeze-thaw stability. The crosslinker was co-emulsified with th e monomer and added during the latex preparation. The put-lift: stability o f epoxide was shown to be dependent on latex morphology, initiator system, and reaction conditions. The preparation of stable latex with minimum prema ture crosslinking required an ambient temperature shell polymerization via a redox initiator system under basic reaction conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.