Film Formation of Poly (methyl methacrylate) Latex With Pyrene Functional Poly (divinylbenzene) Microspheres Prepared by Click Chemistry

This work reports on the application of steady state fluorescence (SSF) technique for studying film formation from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) latex and poly(divinylbenzene) (PDVB) microsphere composites. Pyrene (P) functionalized PDVB cross-linked spherical microspheres with diameters of 2.5 mu m were synthesized by using precipitation polymerization technique followed by click coupling reaction. The diameter of the PMMA particles prepared by emulsion polymerization were in the range of 0.5-0.7 mu m. PMMA/PDVB composite films were then prepared by physically blending of PMMA latex with PDVB microspheres at various composition (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 wt%). After drying, films were annealed at elevated temperatures above T(g) of PMMA ranging from 100 to 270 degrees C for 10 min time intervals. Evolution of transparency of the composite films was monitored by using photon transmission intensity, I(tr). Monomer (I(P)) and excimer (I(E)) fluorescence intensities from P were measured after each annealing step. The possibility of using the excimer-to-monomer intensity ratio (I(E)/I(P)) from PDVB microparticles as a measure of PMMA latex coalescence was demonstrated. Diffusion of the PMMA chains across the particle-particle interfaces dilutes the dyes, increasing their separation. The film formation stages of PMMA latexes were modeled by monitoring the I(E)/I(P) ratios and related activation energies were determined. There was no observable change in activation energies confirming that film formation behavior is not affected by varying the PDVB composition in the studied range. SEM images of PMMA/PDVB composites confirmed that the PMMA particles undergo complete coalescence forming a continuous phase in where PDVB microspheres are dispersed. POLYM. COMPOS., 32: 869-881, 2011. (C) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineer