Preparation and characterisation of modified VAc-VeoVa10 latex

Purpose Fluorine and silicon materials have received the keen attention of many researchers because of their water repellency and low surface free energy. The purpose this study was to prepare vinyl acetate (VAc)-vinyl ester of neodecanoic acid (VeoVa 10) copolymer latex modified with fluorine and silicone monomer, which is emulsified with the novel surfactants of disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (MES) and octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP-10). Design/methodology/approach A series of modified latices containing fluorine-silicon have been prepared by semi-continuous seeded emulsion polymerisation of mixed monomers of VAc, VeoVa10, hexafluorobutylmethacrylate (HFMA) and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and emulsified by novel surfactants of MES and OP-10. Findings The optimum conditions for preparing the modified latex is as follows: the amount of the surfactant was 4.0 Wt.% and the mass ratio of the anionic and nonionic surfactant was 3:1; the dosage of initiator was 0.4 Wt.% and the mass ratio of the main monomer was 3:1; and the amounts of VTES and HFMA were 2.0 and 6.0 Wt.%, respectively. In comparison with the conventional latex, the hydrophobicity of latex film was improved further. Originality/value The modified p (VAC-VeoVa) latex is prepared via semi-continuous seeded emulsion polymerisation, which is emulsified with the novel mixed surfactants of MES and OP-10. There are two main innovations. One is that the novel p (VAC-VeoVa) latex containing fluorine-silicon is prepared successfully. The other is that the emulsifier is composed of the novel mixed surfactants of MES and OP-10.