Stimuli-responsive polymers are polymers that change their properties when exposed to different environmental conditions such as temperature, pH level, and salt concentration. Controlling polymer structure through polymer synthesis techniques directly determines the stimuli-responsive properties of these polymers. Stimuli-responsive polymers can be used as dispersants for titanium dioxide particles (TiO<sub>2</sub>) within architectural coatings, or paints, primers, and stains. By matching the polymer properties to the formulation, the stimuli-responsive polymers can improve the dispersion of titanium dioxide, thus lowering the amount of titanium dioxide needed in the coating, increasing the opacity of the coating, and reducing material costs. Synthesis of diblock and triblock copolymers with controlled copolymer composition and stimuli-responsive properties using activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization has been successful. Characterization of the stimuli-responsive properties of these polymers using pendant drop tensiometry and rheology has provided interfacial tension and viscosity data at several temperatures, pH levels, and concentrations. Pendant drop tensiometry data shows how the polymer will behave at interfaces and whether it will disperse the titanium dioxide particles. Rheology is used to measure the viscosity of the polymers and to provide the ideal polymer concentration for dispersing titanium dioxide. Determining how stimuli-responsive properties are controlled by polymer composition and structures is needed to optimize materials for the dispersion of titanium dioxide in architectural coatings.

Characterization of stimuli-responsive polymers and dispersions with titanium dioxide for applications in architectural coatings

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