Synthesis of Nanoscale Binders through Mini Emulsion Polymerization for Textile Pigment Applications

Different mini emulsion polymerizations were carried out with the combination of different concentration of anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or hydrophobic alkane such as (hexadecane), and/or different monomer ratios. The best comonomers composition that would lead to the best polymer latex properties to obtain nanoscale polymer latexes was studied. The polymer latexes in a size range between 156 and 65 nm by varying the SDS concentrations from 2 to 6 wt % were obtained, and also the particle size of the obtained polymer latexes decreases with the increases of hexadecane (HD) concentrations, and the best result was obtained with 4 wt % of a hexadecane. The best polymer latex properties in terms of particle size and binder softness were found in the best monomer ratio of BA:MMA:MAA (17.5:1.5:1.5) as the solid content was adapted to be 20%. Higher K/S values and improved crocking fastness are obtained with printing pastes containing prepared binder.