Polybutadiene latex, particle size distribution

Figure 2. Particle size distribution of a commercially available polybutadiene latex calculated using different detector response functions.

Field flow techniques have been reviewed in a number of articles [148-150]. Sedimentation field flow fractionation has found use in the separation of PVC [151, 152], polystyrene [151-153], poly(methyl methacrylate) [153, 154], poly (vinyl toluene) [155] and poly(glycidyl methacrylate) latexes [156] to produce particle-size distributions and particle densities. It has also been applied in polymer-aggregation studies [157], pigment [157] quality control and in the separation of silica particles [158] and its performance has been compared with that of ultracentrifugation [159]. Thermal field flow fractionation has been used successfully in the characterisation of ultra-high-molecular-weight polystyrenes [160, 161], poly(methyl methacrylate), polyisoprene, polysulphane, polycarbonate, nitrocellulose, polybutadiene and polyolefins [162]. In the difficult area of water-soluble polymers, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and poly(styrene sulphonate) have been analysed [163, 164]. In addition, compositional separations have been achieved for polystyrene-poly(methyl methacrylate) mixes [165] and comparisons between TFFF and SEC have been made [166]. 

HIPS) is produced commercially by the emulsion polymerization of styrene monomer containing dispersed particles of polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene (SBR) latex. The resulting product consists of a glassy polystyrene matrix in which small domains of polybutadiene are dispersed. The impact strength of HIPS depends on the size, concentration, and distribution of the polybutadiene particles. It is influenced by the stereochemistry of polybutadiene, with low vinyl contents and 36% d5-l,4-polybutadiene providing optimal properties. Copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride exhibit improved heat distortion temperature, while its copolymer with acrylonitrile, SAN — typically 76% styrene, 24% acrylonitrile — shows enhanced strength and chemical resistance. The improvement in the properties of polystyrene in the form of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS) is discussed in Section VILA. 

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