Synthesis and properties of branched organosilicon-acrylate copolymer latexes

Summary Stable organosilicon-acrylate copolymer latexes with high silicon content were prepared by seeded semibatch emulsion polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) with a novel branched organosilicon monomer 3-methacryloxypropyl tris(trimethylsiloxy) silane (MPTS). Monomer conversion, evolution of the particle size and its distribution were monitored by dynamic light scattering. The effects of MPTS on the polymerization kinetics, the nucleation mechanism and properties of latex were investigated. The results indicated that, in addition to micellar nucleation, a coagulative nucleation step was also observed as a result of the addition of the organosilicon monomer, accordingly, the particle number of the silicon-acrylate latexes increased, the average particle diameter decreased and the polymerization rate accordingly increased compared to those of the acrylate latexes without organosilicon monomer. Moreover, the particle size distribution presented bimodal curves, which indicated that there were large particles formed at an early stage. However, the particle size distribution curves became monomodal at the later stage, and the final latex shows a narrow particle size distribution. It was found that the properties of latex and latex film were obviously influenced by MPTS content. With increasing MPTS content, latex film glass transition temperature and water absorption ratio decreased, the degradation temperature and water contact angle were increased. Hence, the resulting latex films containing MPTS showed lower glass transition temperature and excellent water-resistance, which probably due to the incorporation of the bulky branched hydrophobic group of MPTS into the copolymer chains.