Synthesis of a novel silicone based copolymeric surfactant and application in emulsion polymerization

Abstract

A novel silicone-containing acrylic monomer, trimethylsiloxybutoxy dimethylsiloxybutyl acrylate (TSBA) and diethylene glycol monoallyl ether (DGME) was synthesized successfully. Then, a novel copolymeric surfactant was prepared by the free radical polymerization of TSBA and DGME in the presence of dioxane and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as a solvent and initiator, respectively. Next, a series of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA) and polystyrene (PSt) latexes were successfully synthesized, each one throughout by the emulsion copolymerization in the presence of a copolymeric surfactant. This copolymeric surfactant exhibited excellent surface activity and the surface tension decreased with an increase in the concentration of the copolymeric surfactant.