Synthesis Of Soap-Free Acrylic Hydrosols

Poly(methyl methacrylate/ethyl acrylate/acrylic acid) hydrosols were prepared by employing soap-free polymerization, and (acrylic acid/butyl acrylate) oligomer was used as the polymeric surfactant. The effect of reaction condition on the morphology and particle size of the hydrosols was investigated. The minimum amount of acrylic acid in the hydrosols is 2%. The maximum weight average molecular weight (M-w) of polymer that assures soap-free emulsion conversion into hydrosol is about 1.2 x 10(5)-1.3 x 10(5). The particle transforming process was investigated, and an obvious change of particle diameter and morphology was observed.