Reactive blends of thermoplastics and latex particles

Monodisperse homogeneous and core–shell latex particles of various sized between 200 and 600 nm were synthesized by emulsion copolymerization. Some of the core–shell particles were functionalized with epoxy groups at their peripheries upon introduction of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) during the synthesis. The core consisted of crosslinked polybutylacrylate and the shell polymethylmethacrylate. Synthesis conditions at high and low temperatures were optimized to obtain coreshell particles with a well-defined morphology. The particles were characterized by quasi-elastic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The latex particles functionalized with GMA were then dispersed into a reactive matrix (styrene and maleic anhydride copolymer) using a batch mixer to obtain blends with well-defined and stabilized morphology. 4 Dimethylaminopyridine was used as a catalyst. The reaction between the epoxy groups at the particle surface and the maleic anhydride or diacid groups of the matrix was evaluated by torque and extraction techniques. A small amount of conversion generates sufficient amounts of grafted species at the matrix and particle interfaces to ensure a good interfacial adhesion.