Postpolymerization of vinyl acetate-containing latexes

The postpolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc)-containing latexes with tert- butyl hydroperoxide (TBH)/ascorbic acid (ASA) as a redox initiation system was investigated. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone and ter t-butyl alcohol were produced in this process. The influence of the TBH/AsA ratio, initiator concentration, reaction temperature, and feeding time on the reduction of residual VAc and VOC formation during the postpolymerizati on was investigated. A total reduction of residual VAc monomer was achieved , with the formation of VOCs kept within acceptable limits. (C) 2002 John W iley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 923-928, 2002.