Controlling the Morphology of a Two-Phase Polymer Film By Tuning Latex Particle Morphology

Using emulsion polymer synthesis techniques, a radically polymerizable macromonomer was used to compatibilize an acrylic backbone polymer with a more polar polymer additive.  By controlling the hydrophobicity of the macromonomer through chemical substitution, the macromonomer could be directed to the core or shell of the acrylic latex particle. The core or shell positioning of the macromonomer translated to discontinuous or continuous phase localization of the polar polymer additive resulting in differentiated mechanical properties between the two types of film.