Contact Information
tel: (610) 758-4219
fax: (610) 758-5880
e-mail: ak04@lehigh.edu

Emulsion Polymer Morphology

Emulsion polymers are submicron polymer particles, most commonly made in an aqueous phase. The wide commercial use of these polymers ranges from surface coatings to high-impact thermoplastics. For example, one may find these polymers in a water-based paint, an adhesive, or a football helmet. To a large extent, the mechanical properties of the polymer depend on the internal morphology of the submicron latex particle. This internal molecular structure can form during the polymerization step. By studying the factors contributing to this internal structure formation, we hope to understand better the linkage between the polymerization process and the molecular microstructure that defines the physical properties of the polymer.

Mixing Scale-Up

The trend in latex manufacture has been toward increasing solids content. Unfortunately, the high solids process is difficult to scale-up. Latex manufacture is a non-catalytic, heterogeneous reaction process that can be decomposed into interrelated steps such as shear coagulation, mass transfer, and heat transfer. We are currently studying the coagulation in a high solids reactor. Work has also started with the objective of learning more about the thermodynamic conditions for which mass transfer will control the reaction and about the effect of agitation on mass transfer.