Effective Parameters on Optimization of Preparation of Acrylic-styrene Latex

Acrylic-styrene latexes are being used in various industries such as textiles, rubber,plastics, adhesives and coatings due to unique properties such as good durability,compatibility with other materials, adhesion and ability to form continuous film, highresistance to ultra violet, oxygen, water and solvents. In this paper, the most effectivefactors on optimization of acrylic-styrene latexes' synthesis are studied namely: the typeand concentration of monomer, initiator and emulsifier, and temperature of polymerizationreaction. Optimized stable latex with the desirable performance may be achieved throughthe following conditions: using butyl acrylate monomer as an optimum acrylate monomerin combination with styrene hard monomer in the weight ratio 1-1.35, respectively; addingfunctional monomers like α-methacrylic and acrylic acid of about 2 wt% relative to thetotal weight of monomers, improving the film forming process via imparting cross-linkingcites into the acrylic chains; utilizing anionic emulsifier alone (like DSB and SDS) or incombination with nonionic ones (like OP-10 and TX100) of about 0.5 wt% to 3 wt% ofthe monomers; and using radical initiators like persulfates of potassium and ammoniumof about 0.25-0.5 wt% relative to the total monomers' weights. The reaction optimumtemperature range is determined to be approximately 75-80 °C. Adding fillers such asrosin and silica nanoparticles into the acrylic-styrene matrix as much as 4 and 5 wt%,respectively, results in improved water resistance of their films.