Large Volume Applications of Latex Polymers

Catechol-Functionalized Latex Polymers Display Improved Adhesion to Low-Surface-Energy Thermoplastic Polyolefin Substrates

“…Owing to the broad range of physicochemical properties accessible from standard emulsion polymerization techniques, latex polymers are used in a wide range of industrially-relevant coatings applications. − Promoting and controlling the adhesion of latex-based surface coatings to a substrate is a key requirement for achieving functional, coated materials. Typically, adhesion of water-borne latexes to a variety of surfaces is achieved through control over both physical and chemical interactions at the substrate/coating interface. − In this context, surfaces can be chemically pretreated in order to increase adhesion, but the ability to control and define the interfacial properties of the latex dispersion is often a more powerful approach. For example, the design and fabrication of latexes containing specific functional groups is a versatile and widely used strategy to enhance substrate adhesion.…”

Biodegradable Alkali-Swellable Emulsion Polymers: Industrial and Commercial Thickeners

“…The final white solid was then dried under high vacuum for at least 3 h. This process generally yielded ∼80% of VSA monomer. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ 11.70 (s, 1H), 7.27 (dd, J = 13.9, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 4.91 (dd, J = 13.9, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 4.61 (dd, J = 6.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 2.89−2.52 (m, 4H). 13 C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ 178.42, 169.37, 141.00, 98.12, 28.61, 28.49.…”

“…Early column fractions contained some divinyl adipic acid, which was not quantified. 1 S3 for 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra.…”

“…Free radical emulsion polymerization is the method of choice for the synthesis of polymer dispersions widely used in coatings, adhesives, construction, personal care, plastic additives, and myriad other applications at the global scale. − The market was valued at ∼$30 billion in 2023 and is growing at ∼7% annually. , Latex production is inherently sustainable and features several of the tenets of green chemistry: polymerizations are performed in water and are self-sustaining (heat from the reaction drives polymerization), there are no purification steps, and because all reagents become part of the final product, there is little-to-no waste. ,, However, emulsion polymers built from acrylic monomers are not easily chemically or mechanically recycled and, if released into the environment, unlikely to degrade in a reasonable time frame (e.g., within one year). , Many applications benefit from the diverse physicochemical properties afforded by a broad monomer palette and the inherent stability of emulsion polymers, but numerous examples exist where biodegradation would be highly desirable, including personal and home care products, single-use adhesives, and packaging coatings. ,,− Latex polymers containing high levels of carboxylic acid groups (e.g., acrylic and methacrylic acid) are used extensively as thickeners in the home care and personal care industry. Colloidally-stable at low pH, these latexes swell and increase in hydrodynamic volume under alkaline conditions, thus increasing the viscosity of shampoo, shower gel, and cleaning product formulations. , The “down-the-drain” fate of these and other products thickened by latex (e.g., in oil and gas, adhesives, chemical processing, etc.)…”

“…The resulting oil was purified by vacuum distillation (500 mTorr, 65−75 °C) to give 325 g of tert-butyl vinyl succinate as a clear, colorless oil with 88% yield. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ 7.28 (dd, J = 13.6, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 4.89 (dt, J = 13.9, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 4.57 (dd, J = 6.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.66 (ddd, J = 7.3, 6.1, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 2.58 (ddd, J = 7.4, 6.1, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ 171.…”