Preparation of high solids stable translucent nanolatexes of MMA/BA copolymers and MMA/BA/Veova-10 terpolymers with low MFFT using green industrial surfactants

In this study, high solids (∼40 wt%) stable translucent nanolatexes of MMA/BA copolymers and MMA/BA/Veova-10 terpolymers with MFFT ≤ 0 °C were synthesized by a modified semi-continuous microemulsion copolymerization. Ammonium persulfate was used as initiator and a redox system for post-polymerization to reduce the free monomers and achieve over 99.9% conversion. Methacrylic acid or acrylic acid at 1 wt% (calculated on monomers) and a combination of various “green” industrial anionic and non-ionic surfactants free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO-free) at low concentrations (up to 10 wt% on monomers) were used. The resulting latexes were composed of polymer nanoparticles with average diameter size 50–80 nm and low polydispersity index. These friendly to the environment latexes can be potentially used as impregnation primer instead of classic solvent acrylic primers in architectural coatings.