Influence of Particle Nucleation in Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Properties: Miniemulsion versus Emulsion Polymerization

Miniemulsion polymerization is a promising approach to produce and tailor pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs). In this paper, a systematic comparison of the adhesive properties of latexes produced by miniemulsion and conventional emulsion polymerization is presented. Specifically, the influence of the total surfactant concentration, chain transfer agent concentration and chemical composition on the final adhesive properties of the polymer 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/acrylic acid was discerned using a 2³ factorial design for each polymerization method. In addition to the adhesive properties (i.e., loop tack, peel strength and shear strength), molecular weight distribution, particle size distribution (PSD) and glass transition temperature were analyzed. The results show that under the conditions used in this work, it is possible to produce PSAs using miniemulsion polymerization, a process wherein monomer droplet nucleation is the dominant particle nucleation mechanism. The use of a miniemulsion polymerization process, as opposed to the conventional emulsion technique, produced several differences such as larger particles sizes and narrower molecular weight distributions. Focusing on the PSA films that exhibited adhesive rather than cohesive failure, the PSA films generated via miniemulsion polymerization displayed higher values of loop tack and peel strength compared to those produced via conventional emulsion polymerization. Shear strength results were strongly dependent on the amount of gel content and sol molecular weight for both cases.     

Influence of thermal reactive crosslinking agents on the tack,peel adhesion,and shear strength of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives

In recent decades, the basic technology of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) acrylics has developed into a sophisticated science. The main properties of acrylic PSAs such as tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength are determined to a large extent by the kind and quantity of crosslinking agents added to the synthesized PSAs. In order to improve their adhesive (tack, peel adhesion) and cohesive (shear strength) properties, a wide range of amino resin thermal crosslinkers are tested. An acrylic PSA based on 2-ethylhexylacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and acrylic acid was synthesized by performing a radical polymerization in ethyl acetate. After the addition of amino resins to the acrylic PSA and carrying out thermally initiated crosslinking processes to prepare one-sided self-adhesive tapes, their properties were assessed.     

The Role of Components in Waterbased Microsphere Acrylic Psa Adhesive Properties

In this paper the batch suspension copolymerization of ethyl acrylate/2 ethyl hexylacrylate (EA/2-EHA) for production of suspension-based microsphere acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) is presented. The effects on the adhesion properties of PSA different process (reaction temperature and stirrer speed) as well as chemical parameters (amount of EA, initiator concentration) are discussed. The conversion was monitored in-line using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and the results were compared with the standard gravimetrical method. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the PSAs were measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique, while molecular weight distribution (MWD) was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The adhesion properties of PSAs were characterized via the measurements of tack, peel adhesion and peel strength. The results of the experiments have shown that the kinetics of the suspension polymerization for production of PSAs is significantly affected by temperature of polymerization and the initiator concentration, but are shown to be relatively independent of the EA amount and the stirrer speed. The tack, peel and shear strength depend on the mean particle size and particle size (PS) distribution (PSD) and T_g. The mean particle size and PSD depend primarily on the stirrer speed during the PSA synthesis process, while the T_g is most affected by amount of EA used for the synthesis. The results have also shown a rather unexpected relationship between MWD of the PSAs and the applicative properties: tack, peel and shear are seen to be increasing to the decreasing values of weight average MWD, which is the exact opposite of the previously published research. The most likely explanation for this relationship is the formation of a gel during the synthesis of PSA.     

Modification of Adhesive and Latex Properties for Starch Nanoparticle‐Based Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

Starch nanoparticle (SNP)‐based pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with core‐shell particle morphology (starch nanoparticle core/acrylic polymer shell) are produced via seeded, semi‐batch emulsion polymerization at 15 wt% SNP loading (relative to total polymer weight) and 40 wt% latex solids. Crosslinker and chain transfer agent (CTA) are introduced to the acrylic shell polymer formulation at a range of concentrations according to a 3² factorial design to tailor the latex and adhesive properties of SNP‐based latexes. The crosslinker and CTA show no significant effect on polymerization kinetics, particle size, and viscosity. Latex gel content is predicted using an empirical model, which is a function of crosslinker and CTA concentration. Both the gel content and glass transition temperature strongly affect the adhesive properties (tack, peel strength, and shear strength) of the SNP‐based latex films. 3D response surfaces for the adhesive properties are constructed to facilitate the design of SNP‐based PSAs with desired properties.     

Comparison between thermal crosslinkers based on melamine-formaldehyde and benzoguanamine resin and their influence on main performance of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives as tack,peel adhesion,shear strength and pot-life

An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) was synthesized in ethyl acetate at about 80 °C by the use of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate and acrylic acid at presence of thermal radical initiator AIBN. The synthesized acrylic PSA was crosslinked at relatively low temperatures at about 110–125 °C using thermal crosslinkers selected from melamine-formaldehyde resins and benzoguanamine resins. The crosslinking process runs between carboxylic groups of acrylic PSA and reactive groups from investigated amine resins. The choice of suitable thermal reactive crosslinkers has significant and relevant influence at presence of organic acid catalysts on main performance of crosslinked PSA such as tack, peel adhesion and shear strength.     

Synthesis and characterization of an acrylate pressure sensitive adhesive for transdermal drug delivery

The present investigation was directed towards the synthesis of a copolymer of 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate and acrylic acid to be exploited as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) matrix in transdermal drug delivery systems. The polymer synthesis involved free radical solution polymerization using 2, 2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as the free radical initiator. The experimental methodology involved the optimization of reaction conditions for the polymer synthesis. The optimized copolymer was then characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, DSC, GPC and XRD. The PSA was also evaluated for percent free monomer content, intrinsic viscosity, refractive index, moisture uptake potential and film forming properties. To assess it suitability in the development of transdermal systems, peel strength values with respect to release liner as well as human skin and skin irritation potential were also determined. In addition, wear performance test was conducted to evaluate adhesion and adhesive transfer. The synthesized adhesive was found to have good peel strength; exhibited excellent adhesion and adhesive transfer on removal. It was found suitable for use in transdermals and could be further exploited either as an adhesive matrix or as a system component in the area of transdermal drug delivery. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cooperativity of Catechols and Amines in High‐Performance Dry/Wet Adhesives

The outstanding adhesive performance of mussel byssal threads has inspired materials scientists over the past few decades. Exploiting the amino‐catechol synergy, polymeric pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) have now been synthesized by copolymerizing traditional PSA monomers, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid, with mussel‐inspired lysine‐ and aromatic‐rich monomers. The consequences of decoupling amino and catechol moieties from each other were compared (that is, incorporated as separate monomers) against a monomer architecture in which the catechol and amine were coupled together in a fixed orientation in the monomer side chain. Adhesion assays were used to probe performance at the molecular, microscopic, and macroscopic levels by a combination of AFM‐assisted force spectroscopy, peel and static shear adhesion. Coupling of catechols and amines in the same monomer side chain produced optimal cooperative effects in improving the macroscopic adhesion performance.     

The Effect of Polymer Microstructure and Thermal Post-Treatment on Latex-Based Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Performance

Summary: Butyl acrylate/acrylic acid/2-hydroxyl methacrylate (BA/AA/HEMA, weight ratio: 96/2/2) latexes were produced via starved seeded semi-batch emulsion polymerization. The microstructure of the latex polymers was controlled by varying the amount of chain transfer agent (1-dodecanethiol). The latexes were characterized for gel content, M_c (molecular weight between two adjacent cross-linking points), M_w (molecular weight of sol polymers) and M_e (molecular weight between entanglements). From these latexes, PSA films were cast, dried, conditioned and then thermally post-treated at 120 °C to react the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups from the AA and HEMA units. Tack, peel strength and shear strength of the PSA films were then measured. The thermal post-treatment was shown to be an effective way to improve latex-based PSA performance. The effectiveness of the post-treatment was observed to depend on the polymer microstructure (M_c relative to M_e relative to M_w) of the untreated latex-based PSAs and on the gel content.     

阻燃聚丙烯酸酯胶的合成

通过溶液聚合法制得了阻燃性丙烯酸酯胶。研究了甲基丙烯酸2,4,6-三溴苯酯及引发剂用量,交联单体及反应温度、反应时间等对剥离强度的影响。研究了多元共聚丙烯酸酯胶的单体组成、合成工艺及其产品性能。结果表明,制得的胶粘剂在室温下剥离强度为19．5N／cm。     

Cooperativity of Catechols and Amines in High-Performance Dry/Wet Adhesives

The outstanding adhesive performance of mussel byssal threads has inspired materials scientists over the past few decades. Exploiting the amino-catechol synergy, polymeric pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) have now been synthesized by copolymerizing traditional PSA monomers, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid, with mussel-inspired lysine- and aromatic-rich monomers. The consequences of decoupling amino and catechol moieties from each other were compared (that is, incorporated as separate monomers) against a monomer architecture in which the catechol and amine were coupled together in a fixed orientation in the monomer side chain. Adhesion assays were used to probe performance at the molecular, microscopic, and macroscopic levels by a combination of AFM-assisted force spectroscopy, peel and static shear adhesion. Coupling of catechols and amines in the same monomer side chain produced optimal cooperative effects in improving the macroscopic adhesion performance.     

含氟丙烯酸酯共聚物防粘剂的制备及其表面性能研究

以甲基异丁基甲酮为溶剂,偶氮二异丁腈为引发剂,全氟烷基乙基丙烯酸酯、丙烯酸十八酯、丙烯酸丁酯和甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯为原料,溶液聚合制得了均一的含氟丙烯酸酯共聚物防粘剂,并研究了其表面性能。结果表明:全氟烷基乙基丙烯酸酯单体的加入显著降低了共聚物的表面能,提高了共聚物膜的硬度、耐水、耐碱、耐溶剂等性能。当加入ω(氟单体)为30%时,表面能降低至14.7 mN/m,低于有机硅类防粘剂的表面能,含氟丙烯酸酯共聚物膜与压敏胶的的剥离力较低,剩余粘附率为93.2%,该共聚物膜的防粘等综合性能最好。     

Molecular and nanoscale factors governing pressure‐sensitive adhesion strength of viscoelastic polymers

Pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are finding increasing applications in various areas of industry and medicine. PSAs are a special class of viscoelastic polymers that form strong adhesive joints with substrates of varying chemical nature under application of light external bonding pressures (1–10 Pa) over short periods of time (1–5 s). To be a PSA, a polymer should possess both high fluidity under applied bonding pressure, to form good adhesive contact, and high cohesive strength and elasticity, which are necessary for resistance to debonding stresses and for dissipation of mechanical energy at the stage of adhesive bond failure under detaching force. For rational design of novel PSAs, molecular insight into mechanisms of their adhesive behavior is necessary. As shown in this review, strength of PSA adhesive joints is controlled by a combination of diffusion, viscoelastic, and relaxation mechanisms. At the molecular level, strong adhesion is the result of a narrow balance between two generally conflicting properties: high cohesive strength and large free volume. These conflicting properties are difficult to combine in a single polymer material. Individually, high cohesive interaction energy and large free volume are necessary but insufficient prerequisites for PSA strength. Evident correlations are observed between the adhesive bond strengths of different PSAs, and their relaxation behaviors are described by longer relaxation times. Innovative PSAs with tailored properties can be produced by physical mixing of nonadhesive long‐ and short‐chain linear parent polymers, with groups at the two ends of the short chains complementary to the functional groups in the recurring units of the long chains. Although chemical composition and molecular structure of such innovative adhesives are unrelated to those of conventional PSAs, their mechanical properties and adhesive behaviors obey the same general laws, such as the Dahlquist's criterion of tack. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

SEED SEMICONTINUOUS EMULSION MULTI-COPOLYMERIZATION OF (METH) ACRYLATES WITH HIGH-SOLID CONTENT: EFFECT OF THE OPERATION CONDITIONS

The seeded semicontinuous emulsion multi-copolymerization of butyl acrylate (BA),2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-hydroxyl propyl acrylate(HOPA) and acrylic acid (AA) was used to prepare the acrylic latexes with high-solidcontent. The effects of monomer emulsion feed rates (R_a) and (R/E)_E values, the ratio ofemulsifier amount between the initial charge (R) and the addition monomer emulsion (E),on the polymerization reaction features, the viscosities, surface tensions,particle sizes andparticle sizes distributions of latexes,T_g and the insoluble fractions of films, the 180° peelstrength, tack and holding power of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes, preparedfrom the latexes, were studied. Experimental study shows that the grafting and cross-linking fraction in the PSA tapes must be controlled within a suitable range to keep thebalance of the 180° peel strength, tack and holding power.     

Bio-based removable pressure-sensitive adhesives derived from carboxyl-terminated polyricinoleate and epoxidized soybean oil

A novel kind of fully bio-based PSAs we re obtained through the curing reaction between two components derived from the plant oils:carboxyl-terminated polyricinoleate(PRA) fro m the castor oil and epoxidized soybean oil(ESO).The get content,glass transition temperature(Tg),rheological behavior,tensile strength,creep resistance and 180° peel strength of the PSAs were feasibly tailored by adjusting the component ratio of ESO to PRA.At low cross-linking level,the PSAs behaved like a viscous liquid and did not possess enough cohesiveness to sustain the mechanical stress during peeling,The PSAs cross-linked at or near the optimal stoichiometric conditions displayed an adhesive(interfacial) failure between the substrate and the adhesive layer,which were associated with the lowest adhesion levels.The PSAs with the dosage amount of ESO ranging from 10.20 wt% were tacky and flexible,which exhibited 1800 peel strength ranging from 0.4～2.3 N/cm;and could be easily removed without any residues on the adherend.The process for the preparation of the fully bio-based PSAs was environmentally friendly without using any orga nic solve nt or other toxic chemical,herein showing the great potential as sustainable materials.     

Crosslinkable propyleneimine pressure‐sensitive adhesive acrylates and their pot life

In this article a new generation of crosslinkers based on multifunctional propyleneimine derivatives involving crosslinking reactions of acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were investigated. Their tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength after crosslinking, as well as their viscosity and pot life were also measured. Crosslinking of PSAs is an established technology used in many industrial manufacturing processes. Their novel applications and technical specifications stimulate continuous research and development into new crosslinkers with very interesting characteristics. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of the peel test for measuring self-cleanable characteristic of fluorine-modified coatings

The self-cleanable ability of coatings is important to prevent or remove polluting fingerprints, dust, water and oils for a number of applications. Fluorocarbon polymers have been used to provide self-cleanable ability due to their low surface energy. The efficiency of fluorine-modified coatings has been evaluated by measuring surface free energy using a contact angle measurement. However, this method is not sufficient to define the polluting-preventive ability or removability of fluorine-modified coatings due to the amount of fluorine content.A peel test can be used to determine the self-cleanable characteristics of fluorine-modified coatings by evaluating adhesion between the coating surface and pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs). In addition, adhesion can be used to predict the amount of polluting-preventive ability or removability of coatings by comparing the peel strength of commercial PSAs. We designed fluorine-modified acrylic resins with different fluorine contents for a new testing method. Comparing the contact angle measurement with the peel test results, the peel test for the self-cleanable characteristic of coatings was more suitable than the contact angle measurement to predict the polluting-preventive ability and removability of coatings.     

Acrylic acid level and adhesive performance and peel master‐curves of acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives

Three series of pressure‐sensitive adhesives were prepared with constant glass‐transition temperature, using emulsion polymerization. The monomers chosen were butyl acrylate, 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and acrylic acid (AA). Within each polymer series, the proportion of AA monomer was held constant for each polymer preparation but acrylic ester monomer levels were varied. Adhesion performance was assessed by measurement of loop tack, static shear resistance, and through the construction of peel master‐curves. Peel master‐curves were generated through peel tests conducted over a range of temperatures and peel rates and through application of the time–temperature superposition principle. Bulk effects dominated by polymer zero shear viscosity change as AA and EHA levels were varied were attributed to the observed effect on static shear resistance and the horizontal displacements of peel master‐curves. Static shear resistance was found to strongly correlate with log(a_C), a parameter introduced to horizontally shift peel master‐curves to form a superposed, “super master‐curve”. An interfacial interaction was proposed to account for deviations observed when loop tack was correlated with log(a_C). Surface rearrangements via hydrogen bonding with the test substrate were suggested as responsible for the interfacial interaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1237–1252, 2006     

Degradable,Ultraviolet-Crosslinked Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Made from Thioester-Functional Acrylate Copolymers

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are made from soft, irreversibly lightly crosslinked polymers. Even after removal from surfaces, they retain insoluble networks which pose problems during the recycling of glass and cardboard. Herein, degradable PSAs are presented that provide the required performance in use but have networks that can be degraded after use. A series of copolymers was prepared through radical copolymerization of n-butyl acrylate, 4-acryloyloxy benzophenone (ABP) photo-crosslinker, and dibenzo[c,e]oxepin-5(7H)-thione (DOT) to provide degradable backbone thioesters. The optimum tack and peel strengths were found for molar contents of 0.05 mol% ABP and 0.25 mol% DOT. Degradation of the backbone thioesters through aminolysis or thiolysis led to the full dissolution of the networks, loss of adhesive properties of films (decreases in the measured tack and peel strengths), and the quick detachment of model labels from a substrate. Inclusion of DOT into PSAs offers a viable route toward degradable and recyclable packaging labels.     

SYNTHESIS OF SOAP-FREE ACRYLIC HYDROSOLS

Poly(methyl methacrylate/ethyl acrylate/acrylic acid) hydrosols were prepared by employing soap-freepolymerization, and (acrylic acid/butyl acrylate) oligomer was used as the polymeric surfactant The effect of reactioncondition on the morphology and particle size of the hydrosols was investigated. The minimum amount of acrylic acid in thehydrosols is 2%. The maximum weight average molecular weight (M_w) of polymer that assures soap-free emulsionconversion into hydrosol is about 1.2×10~5-1.3×10~5. The particle transforming process was investigated, and an obviouschange of particle diameter and morphology was observed.     

Study on soap‐free P(MMA‐EA‐AA or MAA) latex particles with narrow size distribution

Soap‐free poly(methyl methacrylate‐ethyl acrylate‐acrylic acid or methacrylic acid) [P(MMA‐EA‐AA or MAA)] particles with narrow size distribution were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl acrylate (EA) and acrylic acid (AA) or methacrylic acid (MAA), and the influences of the mass ratio of core/shell monomers used in the two stages of polymerization ([C/S]_w) and initiator amount on polymerization, particle size and its distribution were investigated by using different monomer addition modes. Results showed that when the batch swelling method was used, the monomer conversion was more than 96.0% and particle size distribution was narrow, and the particle size increased first and then remained almost unchanged at around 600 nm with the [C/S]_w decreased. When the drop‐wise addition method was used, the monomer conversion decreased slightly with [C/S]_w decreased, and large particles more than 750 nm in diameter can be obtained; with the initiator amount increased, the particle size decreased and the monomer conversion had a trend to increase; the particle size distribution was broader and the number of new particles was more in the AA system than in the MAA system; but the AA system was more stable than the MAA system at both low and high initiator amount. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.