Synthesis and characterization of styrene sulfonyl trimethoxysilylpropyl thioether as a silane co-monomer for application in the waterborne traffic-marking paint

• TSPM and TSPA have been prepared with a functional group, double bond of vinyl.
• Copolymers with TSPM or TSPA have good storage stability and can be used as binders.
• TSPM or TSPA improves the water resistance and caused a heat stability and low Tg.
• The transparency of the films reduced as the TSPM or TSPA concentration increased.

The styrenesulfonyltrimethoxysilylpropyl thioether (STEP) was successfully synthesized as a silane containing co-monomer for preparation of environmentally friendly waterborne traffic-marking paint, which has fast dry, abrasion resistance, and long term durability. Then, the latex particles with a polyacrylate core and a polysilane shell were prepared by semi continuous seeded emulsion polymerization. Several key polymerization reaction conditions such as the STEP concentration, feeding sequence and the acrylates/silane ratio were detailedly discussed. Also the optimal condition to prepare stable core–shell particles was selected and a proper preparation process was established. The as-synthesized particles were characterized by TEM and laser light scattering. The clear core–shell structure of the particles could be observed through analysis TEM. In addition, the obtained results manifested that silanes had been grafted on the surface of the polyacrylate particles and they distributed on the outmost layer of the particles. Finally, the surface hydrophobicity of the film formed by latex particles was investigated by the water absorption ratio measurement. The results suggest the developed latex particle provided with a fair water-repellency property.

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