Latex film surface morphology studied by atomic force microscopy: Effect of a non-ionic surfactant postadded to latex dispersion

Graphene-philic surfactants for nanocomposites in latex technology

Graphene is the newest member of the carbon family, and has revolutionized materials science especially in the field of polymer nanocomposites. However, agglomeration and uniform dispersion remains an Achilles' heel (even an elephant in the room), hampering the optimization of this material for practical applications. Chemical functionalization of graphene can overcome these hurdles but is often rather disruptive to the extended pi-conjugation, altering the desired physical and electronic properties. Employing surfactants as stabilizing agents in latex technology circumvents the need for chemical modification allowing for the formation of nanocomposites with retained graphene properties. This article reviews the recent progress in the use of surfactants and polymers to prepare graphene/polymer nanocomposites via latex technology. Of special interest here are surfactant structure-performance relationships, as well as background on the roles surfactant-graphene interactions for promoting stabilization.

The Emulsion Polymerization of Each of Vinyl Acetate and Butyl Acrylate Monomers Using bis (2-ethylhexyl) Maleate for Improving the Physicomechanical Properties of Paints and Adhesive Films

Improving the water sensitivity of polyvinyl acetate PVAc films as well as pressure sensitivity, adhesion and washability of polybutyl acrylate were achieved by using bis (2-ethylhexyl) maleate (BEHM). The emulsion polymerization kinetics of vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate in presence of BEHM was studied. The order of the polymerization reaction with respect to the BEHM in presence of each of vinyl acetate and butyl acrylate was studied. The physicomechanical properties of the polyvinyl acetate films and vinyl acetate-butyl acrylate copolymer films were studied in presence of BEHM and the obtained results were matched with those prepared in the presence of pluronic F 108 and showed superior values. The obtained mean average molecular weights were found to be smaller in presence of BEHM assuring the presence of chain transfer reaction.

Improving water sensitivity in acrylic films using surfmers

The water sensitivity of films obtained from high solids content acrylic latexes was investigated, with special focus on the role of the surfactant used in the synthesis step. The performance of films obtained from latexes stabilized by nonionic surfmers was compared to that of the acrylic latexes stabilized with conventional nonionic and anionic surfactants. It was seen that the latexes stabilized with reactive surfactants exhibited a remarkably better resistance to both water permeability and water vapor permeability and therefore enlarged the durability of the films. Atomic force microscopy images suggested that the defects created by surfactant migration in the latexes stabilized with conventional surfactants promoted the permeation of water by capillarity.

Conditions for imaging emulsions in the environmental scanning electron microscope

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is a technique capable of imaging volatile and/or insulating samples in their natural state, without prior specimen preparation. It is thus a powerful potential tool for the study of the structure and dynamics of emulsions and other complex liquid systems, at a resolution greater than that obtainable by conventional optical microscopy. We present images of a variety of liquid systems containing micron-scale and smaller features. The morphology of these systems may be clearly discerned. The contrast observed between the liquid phases was consistent with the model proposed by Stokes et al. (1998). The limits of resolution were determined by sample motion and by beam damage effects; under optimum conditions, resolution of a few tens of nanometers was obtained. This compares favourably with conventional and confocal optical microscopy. In some samples, thin films (solid or liquid) could be observed at the liquid/gas interface. Some of these films were so thin that they did not completely obscure the underlying structure of the bulk sample.

Development and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with magnetite

This paper describes the preparation of colloidal lipid particles containing magnetite from warm emulsions. A two step method was used to obtain the nanoparticles: (i) formulation of a transparent phase by heating a O/W emulsion (aqueous surfactant solution melted with a lipid phase, containing the ethyl oleate and soybean lecithin) in which modified lipophilic magnetite is incorporated, and (ii) preparation of the nanoparticles by dispersing the warm transparent phase in cold water (7 degrees C) under mechanical stirring. The latter method gives spherical nanoparticles of a mean size of 62 nm measured by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy and Transmission Electronic Microscopy. The magnetite entrapment efficiency was determined by use of a magnetophoretic sedimentation method.

An overview of polymer latex film formation and properties

The literature on polymer latex film formation has grown enormously in recent times--driven by the need to find alternatives for solvent-based systems with their adverse environmental impacts. Although greater insight has been shown by the use of modern instrumental techniques such as small angle neutron scattering, direct non-radiative energy transfer and atomic force microscopy, the actual mechanisms involved in deforming spherical particles into void-free films are still the subject of controversy and debate. Surfactant-free homopolymer model colloid latices, favoured in academic studies, together with latices containing surfactants whose redistribution can influence film properties, and the more complex copolymer, blended, core-shell and pigmented systems needed to satisfy a full range of film properties are all considered.