(357e) Studies to Gain New Insights into Emulsion Polymerization and Optimization to Produce Novel Paper Coatings Technologies

Emulsion polymerization is used to produce polymer dispersions which find uses in innumerable industrial and consumer applications. In order to produce materials with targeted performance it is important to understand how the polymerization kinetics, colloidal morphology, polymer properties and chemical functionality in these systems interact to create the final properties a customer may desire. By using new analytical techniques we are now able to identify the presence of specific aqueous phase oligomers produced during the polymerization, characterize their relative surface activity, and hypothesize important implications on polymerization kinetics and colloidal properties. An example will also be provided of how emulsion polymerization can be used to produce novel and industrially-relevant barrier coatings for paper packaging by working with customers to define their needs and overcome a challenging set of requirements.