St–BA copolymer emulsions prepared by using novel cationic maleic dialkyl polymerizable emulsifier

A novel polymerizable cationic dialkyl maleic emulsifier with 12 carbon atomic hydrophobic chain lengths (R = C12H25) as well as a similar conventional cationic emulsifier, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as comparison, were investigated in batch emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate. A series of emulsion samples have been prepared with two kinds of emulsifiers, and their properties have been characterized and compared. Compared with the emulsions prepared by using cationic CTAB emulsifier, the emulsions prepared by using maleic emulsifier have larger particle size, higher surface tension, generally more stable on certain electrolytes and less water absorption ratio as 34.87% after 30 days vs. 50.65% for the emulsion containing CTAB emulsifier. Whereas, the maleic emulsifier itself has lower CMC and surface tension compared with cationic CTAB emulsifier.