Synthesis and characterization of low-temperature self-crosslinkable acrylic emulsion for PE film ink

A low-temperature self-crosslinkable acrylic emulsion was synthesized by semi-continuous emulsion polymerization technology using methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), acrylic acid (AA) and diacetone acrylamide (DAAM) as monomers and adipic dihydrazide (ADH) as crosslinker. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrograph disclosed spherical emulsion particles possess core–shell structure. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrogram showed that crosslinking reaction between CO groups of DAAM and NHNH₂ groups of ADH can occur during coating film formation at low temperature, even at room temperature. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis indicated that glass transition temperature (Tg) of the crosslinked film is increased by 5 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves demonstrated that self-crosslinking reaction improves thermal stability of film. As DAAM content increased from 0% to 2%, water absorption ratio of film decreased from 26.2% to 7.4%, adhesion ratio on the PE thin film increased from 0% to 97%. While the n(ADH)/n(DAAM) ratio increased from 0:1 to 0.8:1, crosslinking density of films was increased from 0% to 88%, water absorption ratio decreased from 36.5% to 7.4% and adhesion ratio on the PE thin film increased from 0% to 97%. The optimal DAAM content and n(ADH)/n(DAAM) ratio was 2% and 0.8:1 in this experiment. The emulsion has good potential application in water-based ink for PE film.