Effect of surfactant systems on the water sensitivity of latex films

The effects of three different types of surfactant systems (ionic, polymeric, and electrosteric stabilizers) on the water sensitivity of poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) latex films was examined. The water sensitivity was found to be strongly dependent on the surfactant system used in their preparation. A number of factors, such as the surfactant mobility and crystallinity and surfactant/ polymer polarity appeared to affect the water uptake of the films. Highly mobile and crystallizable surfactants yielded high water sensitivity for films containing ionic surfactants, whereas the surfactant polarity had a greater effect on latices stabilized by polymeric surfactants, with the more hydrophilic systems providing greater water uptake. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.