Synthesis of copolymer of styrene and ethylhexylmethacrylate for the application as sizing agent during paper production

Experimental results obtained during investigation of emulsion co-polymerization of styrene (ST) and ethylhexylmethacrylate (EHA) in the presence of cationic or mixtures of cationic and nonionic surfactants are presented in this paper. It was found that the particles were positively charged. The zeta potential was equal to 2.5x10E-2 V, which made copolymer dispersion stable for one year. Besides, the possibility of hydrophobization of cellulose fibers by using dispersion of synthesized poly(ST-co-EHA) was qualitatively determined. It was shown that the dispersion could be used for Wet End and surface Sizing Agents of Paper.