We report the design and fabrication of a new class of poly(olefin)-acrylic (POA) latex particles. These hybrid materials are fabricated in two steps, starting from the mechanical dispersion of a bulk poly(olefin) into a particle dispersion, which is then used as a seed for the emulsion polymerization of an acrylic shell. Using this approach, POA particles with diameters from 200-700 nm and core:shell weight ratios up to 50:50 can be obtained. The poly(olefin) core is modular in terms of composition, molecular weight, crystallinity, and glass transition temperature, while control over the physicochemical properties of the shell is equally accessible. We use light scattering and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (A4F) to study particle size and grow-out, and SEM and AFM imaging to determine particle morphologies. A customized GPC method together with thermal stability experiments provide evidence for, and enable quantification of, poly(olefin)/acrylic grafting. Finally, we show that POA particles are effective impact modifiers in engineering plastics, enabling low temperature impact performance together with other salient material properties such as melt flow. The results of this investigation provide a framework for the design of POA particles for a wide range of applications.

Design and fabrication of hybrid poly(olefin)-acrylic latex particles

2019 Spring National Meeting

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