Silicone-polyacrylate composite latex particles. Particles formation and film properties

Composite latex particles with a polydimethylsiloxane PDMS core and a poly(methyl methacrylate-co-n-butyl acrylate) P(MMA-BA) copolymer shell were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization using the PDMS latex as the seed. The compatibility between the two polymer phases was changed by introducing vinyl groups in the latex core. Monomer conversions and particle size evolution were monitored to see the influence of the nature of the core functionality on the polymerization kinetics and on the extent of secondary nucleation. Particle morphology was characterized by cryo-transmission electron microscopy. The P(MMA-BA) copolymer formed a regular shell around the PDMS seed, whereas nonuniform coatings were formed when vinyl functionalities were introduced into the seed. Films were produced from the latexes, and their surface property was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. It was shown that the PDMS component segregated to the polymer/air interface and that the extent of segregation depended on the original particles structure. Because PDMS has a very low glass transition temperature, it can easily diffuse throughout the film material. However, protected by an acrylic shell, polymer diffusion is significantly hindered and the film then displays all the characteristic properties of the acrylic copolymer. The surface composition of the films formed by the structured particles which PDMS core was not totally covered by the polyacrylate, was found to be intermediate between the composition of the films issued from the core-shell latexes and that of the films produced from blends of pure polyacrylate and PDMS latexes.