Preparation and properties of the composite core-shell latex of poly(3-methacryloxylpropyltrimethoxylsilane)/poly(methyl acrylate) induced by gamma ray radiation

Co-polymerization of 3-methacryloxylpropyltrimethoxylsilane (MPS) and MA and seeded polymerization of MPS in the presence of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) seed latex were carried out by 60Co gamma ray irradiation. The morphology of the two kinds of latex particles was observed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and the mechanical, thermal and solvent absorption properties of the latex films were also studied. It was found that core-shell structure was formed in the latex particles obtained by seeded polymerization but not by co-polymerization. Interestingly some holes were found in the seeded latex particles. The holes implied the existence of Si-OH groups enriched at the surface of the latex particles and it gives an indirect proof of the core-shell structure. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the latex films obtained by seeded polymerization with lower MPS content (1 wt%) showed better mechanical and water resistant performance than those obtained by co-polymerizaiton even with higher MPS content.