Preparation of CO2/N2-Triggered Reversibly Coagulatable and Redispersible Polyacrylate Latexes by Emulsion Polymerization Using a Polymeric Surfactant

We report here a novel approach for making reversibly coagulatable and redispersible polyacrylate latexes by emulsion (co)polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using a polymeric surfactant, poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)10-block-poly(methyl methacrylate)14. The surfactant was protonated with HCl prior to use. The resulted PMMA latexes were readily coagulated with trace amount of caustic soda. The coagulated latex particles, after washing with deionized water, could be redispersed into fresh water to form stable latexes again by CO2 bubbling with ultrasonication. The recovered latexes could then be coagulated by N2 bubbling with gentle heating. These coagulation and redispersion processes were repeatable by the CO2/N2 bubbling.