Science and Technology Production

Influence of Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol on Polymer Diffusion in Poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) Latex Films

Article

Authorship:

SCHROEDER, WALTER FABIAN ; Yuanqin Liu ; J. Pablo Tomba ; Mohsen Soleimani ; Willie Lau ; Mitchell A. Winnik

Date:

2010

Publishing House and Editing Place:

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Magazine:

JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B - (Print), vol. 114 (pp. 3085-3094) AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Summary *

We describe fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments carried out to examine the effect of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol on the early stages of polymer diffusion in poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) latex films. In our approach, we temporarily arrest the drying process of a wet latex film by sealing the film in a previously cooled airtight sample chamber. This arrests propagation of the drying front and suppresses polymer diffusion during the measurements. We then measure donor fluorescence decays from 0.5 mm diameter spots at various locations on the film. From our analysis, we obtain information about the earliest stages of polymer diffusion as the film is still drying. We also investigate the effect of these glycols on polymer diffusion at longer aging times on pre-dried latex films. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol retard polymer diffusion at early times immediately after the passing of the drying front, but enhance the rate of polymer diffusion at later aging times. This behavior is described quantitatively in terms of free-volume theory and the partitioning of the glycols between the aqueous and polymer phases in the film. Information provided by the agent in SIGEVA

Key Words

COALESCING AIDSFREE VOLUME THEORYFRETPLASTICIZERSFUJITA-DOOLITTLE EQUATION