PDMS-modified poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)s as water-borne coatings based on surfactant-free latexes

In this work, two series of PDMS-modified poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)s (PSMA) were prepared by the partial imidization of their anhydride groups with mono-functional, amine-terminated polydimethyl siloxanes (PDMS-NH2) with two different molecular weights. Subsequently, surfactant-free artificial latexes were prepared and characterized and applied onto cotton fabric. The water contact angle values of the coated cotton fabric indicate the formation of hydrophobic surfaces, with static contact angles varying from 119° to 142° depending on the PDMS loading and PDMS molecular weight. Coatings of the prepared copolymers on cotton fabric are highly durable, as shown by washing studies with a standard soap solution. The properties of these water-based surfactant-free latexes can be tuned easily by changing the composition of the polymers, i.e. mol% of imidization, ammonolysis and cross-linking.