Polymer latex chemical structure

Acrylics. Acetone is converted via the intermediate acetone cyanohydrin to the monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) [80-62-6]. The MMA is polymerized to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to make the familiar clear acrylic sheet. PMMA is also used in molding and extrusion powders. Hydrolysis of acetone cyanohydrin gives methacrylic acid (MAA), a monomer which goes direcdy into acrylic latexes, carboxylated styrene—butadiene polymers, or ethylene—MAA ionomers. As part of the methacrylic structure, acetone is found in the following major end use products acrylic sheet molding resins, impact modifiers and processing aids, acrylic film, ABS and polyester resin modifiers, surface coatings, acrylic lacquers, emulsion polymers, petroleum chemicals, and various copolymers (see Methacrylic acid and derivatives Methacrylic polymers). 

Table 33 Chemical Structures of Main Polymer Latexes for Cement Modifiers.

All latex samples prepared by emulsion polymerization are characterized by a broad distribution of molar masses, and in the case of copolymer latexes, a distribution of copolymer composition. Since the diffusion coefficient for a polymer depends upon both the chain length and the chemical structure, the polymers in any one film sample will be characterized by a rather broad distribution of Dcm values. Experiments to detormine in such systems actually yield a value averaged over the distribution, Dts. As will be seen below, since different components of the system contribute to the measured signal at different times, and the fastest diffusing species dominate the diffusion at early times, experi-mental values of Detr decrease with the ext t of interdiffiision. For such sanqiles, one is normally less int sted in the absoluie values of than in how extonal... 

Rubber hydrocarbon is the principle component of raw rubber. The subject is discussed in greater detail in Chapter 7. Natural rubber is 97% cw-l,4-polyisoprene. It is obtained by tapping the bark of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) and collecting the exudate, a latex consisting of about 32-35% rubber. A similar material can also be found in the sap of many other plants and shrubs. The structure of natural rubber has been investigated over 100 years, but it was only after 1920, however, that the chemical structure was elucidated. It was shown to be a linear polymer consisting of head-to-tail links of isoprene units, 98% bonded 1,4. 

Natural rubber is an unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer. It is obtained commercially from the milky sap (latex) of the rubber tree. Its chemical structure was deduced in part from the observation that, when latex is heated in the absence of air, it breaks down to give mainly a single unsaturated hydrocarbon product, isoprene. 

The function of emulsifier in the emulsion polymerization process may be summarized as follows [45] (1) the insolubilized part of the monomer is dispersed and stabilized within the water phase in the form of fine droplets, (2) a part of monomer is taken into the micel structure by solubilization, (3) the forming latex particles are protected from the coagulation by the adsorption of monomer onto the surface of the particles, (4) the emulsifier makes it easier the solubilize the oligomeric chains within the micelles, (5) the emulsifier catalyzes the initiation reaction, and (6) it may act as a transfer agent or retarder leading to chemical binding of emulsifier molecules to the polymer. 

Acrylonitrile resembles VC, a carcinogen, in structure. It is a flammable, explosive liquid (b.p. 77 C, V.P. 80 mm at 20°C). AN is a component of acrylic and modacrylic fibers produced by copolymerization with other monomers, e.g., with methyl acrylate, Me-methacrylate, vinyl acetate, VC and VDC. Other major uses of AN include copolymerizations with butadiene and styrene to produce ABS polymers, and with styrene to yield SAN resins which are used in the manufacture of plastics. Nitrile elastomers and latexes are also made with AN, as are a number of other chemicals, e.g. acrylamide and adiponitrile. Acrylonitrile is also used as a fumigant. 

Typical particle sizes of the resulting lattices are between 50 nm and 500 pm. Generally, the size distribution of the latex particles is broad [252], Lattices with a very narrow size distribution can be achieved by a short nucleation period followed by a long growth period in the absence of coagulation [250]. Because the polymerization takes place within the outer periphery (shell) of the particle, latex polymers with a core-shell structure can be prepared, the core consisting of a cross-linked polymer, surrounded by a shell of tethered linear non-cross-linked polymer of different chemical composition. Recent reviews deal with the preparation and application of these core-shell polymers [212,253]. 

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