Emulsion polymerization of ethylene-vinyl acetate-branched vinyl ester using a pressure reactor system

Abstract

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview 1 1.2 Motivation and objectives for this study CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Relevance and motivations 4 2.2 Historical background of VAE pressure Latex 2.3 Review of patent literature on ethylene-based pressure latex 2.4 Typical monomer compositions used in pressure latexes 2.5 Plasticization of vinyl acetate 2.6 Comparison of ethylene vs. acrylates as co-monomer for vinyl acetate 2.7 Pressure emulsion polymerization techniques 2.8 Aspects of branched vinyl esters in vinyl latex polymerization 2.9 Physical properties of ethylene-based latex and analytical methods used ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library iii CHAPTER 3 EXPERIMENTAL METHODS AND MATERIALS 3.1 Preparation of BEEVA latexes 3.1.1 Model BEEVA latexes 3.1.2 Materials used for synthesis of BEEVA latexes 3.1.3 Recipe for model BEEVA latexes 3.2 Preparation of samples 3.3 Rheological measurements 3.4 Contact angle measurements 69 3.5 Glass transition temperature measurements 3.6 Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra measurements 70 3.7 Zeta potential and particle size measurements CHAPTER 4 DESIGN OF PRESSURE REACTOR SYSTEM 4.1 Design of pressure polymerization hardware 4.1.1 Pressure vessel 4.1.2 Agitator 4.1.3 Feed tanks and pumps 4.1.4 Haskel pump 4.1.5 Temperature control 4.1.6 Research motor valves 4.1.7 Monomer preparation system 4.2 Safety features 4.2.1 Safety devices ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library iv 4.2.2 Effluent handling system CHAPTER 5 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LATEXES 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Rheological properties 5.3 Determination of ethylene weight percentage using proton NMR 96 5.4 Glass transition temperature 5.5 Contact angle 5.6 Zeta potential and particle size CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 Conclusions 6.1.1 The design of a new pressure reactor system 6.1.2 The preparation of model BEEVA latexes 6.1.3 The physical properties of model BEEVA latexes 6.2 Recommendations 123