Alternative Pathway for the Stabilization of Reactive Emulsions via Cross-Linkable Surfactants

Preparation and Characterization of Soap-Free Vinyl Acetate/Butyl Acrylate Copolymer Latex

The soap-free emulsion of vinyl acetate (VAc)/butyl acrylate (BA) copolymer was prepared by a semi-continuous and pre-emulsification polymerization method, using ammonium sulfate allyloxy nonylphenoxy poly(ethyleneoxy) (10) ether (DNS-86) as a reactive emulsifier. The effects of DNS-86 on the stability of the emulsion and the properties of the latex film were investigated. The infrared spectrum, thermal stability, glass transition temperature and micromorphology of latex were also studied. The results showed that the emulsion had the best stability and the conversion rate reached a maximum of 98.46% when the DNS-86 amount was 4 wt % of the total amount of monomers. Compared with the PVAc latex synthesized with octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (10) (OP-10), the latex prepared with DNS-86 has higher thermal stability and ionic stability, whereas the latex film has better water resistance.

Magnetic polymerizable surfactants: thermotropic liquid crystal behaviors and construction of nanostructured films

Two polymerizable surfactants, 3-undecylene-1-vinylimidazolium bromide (C11VIMBr) and 3-dodecyl-1-vinylimidazolium bromide (C12VIMBr), were chosen to prepare magnetic surfactant monomers by introducing Mn2+, Gd3+ and Ho3+.

Bioinspired Viscoelastic Capsules: Delivery Vehicles and Beyond

Microcapsules are often used as individually dispersed carriers of active ingredients to prolong their shelf life or to protect premature reactions with substances contained in the surrounding. This study goes beyond this application and employs microcapsules as principal building blocks of macroscopic 3D materials with well-defined granular structures. To achieve this goal and inspired by nature, capsules are fabricated from block-copolymer surfactants that are functionalized with catechols, a metal-coordinating motive. These surfactants self-assemble at the surface of emulsion drops where they are ionically cross-linked to form viscoelastic capsules that display a low permeability even toward small encapsulants. It is demonstrated that the combination of the mechanical strength, flexibility, and stickiness of the capsules enables their additive manufacturing into macroscopic granular structures. Thereby, they open up new opportunities for 3D printing of soft, self-healing materials composed of individual compartments that can be functionalized with different types of spatially separated reagents.

Latent curing systems stabilized by reaction equilibrium in homogeneous mixtures of benzoxazine and amine

Latent curing systems are widely used in industrial thermosets in applications such as adhesion, coating, and composites. Despite many attempts to improve the practicality of this dormant reaction system, the majority of commercially available latent products still use particulate hardeners or liquid compounds with blocked active groups. These formulations generally lack fluidity or rapid reaction characteristics and thus are problematic in some industry applications. Here we describe a novel concept that stabilizes highly reactive benzoxazine/amine mixtures by reaction equilibrium. These new latent benzoxazine curing systems have a long storable lifetime but very short gel time at 150 °C. The reversible reaction between benzoxazine and amine is further demonstrated by FT-IR spectral measurements and rheological experiments, and it is shown that the overall characteristics of the latent system are promising for many industrial applications.

Dual-compartment nanofibres: separation of two highly reactive components in close vicinity

Nanofibers based on polyvinyl alcohol encapsulating epoxy and amine colloids in close vicinity as reactive compartments are investigated. Their crosslinking can be initiated upon thermal or mechanical stimuli and enables self-healing applications.