Development of antibacterial coatings with enhanced stability using reactive emulsifiers in styrene emulsion polymerization

Polymer latexes and variety of synthetic elastomers are predominantly producedwithin emulsion polymerization, due to its ability to regulate heat, maintain lowviscosity, and control particle size and morphology. The reducing volatile organiccompounds (VOC’s) have become significant subject of environmental regulations,which increased demand for water-based coatings, making emulsion polymerizationa preferred method for their production.This thesis investigates the synthesis of stable, waterborne styrene copolymer latexesusing reactive emulsifiers via emulsion polymerization. The study introduces a novelapproach by utilizing both cationic and non-ionic reactive emulsifiers, which impartdistinct functionalities to the latex. Cationic emulsifiers enhance the antibacterialproperties of latex, while non-ionic emulsifiers improve hydrophilicity and contributeto smooth, transparent surfaces, which are essential for coating applications. A keycontribution of this study is the detailed investigation of styrene-based polymerizationsystems utilizing reactive cationic emulsifiers in the absence of conventionalsurfactants, thereby addressing a notable gap in existing literature. The copolymerlatexes were systematically synthesized, and their structure and property relationshipswere explored, focusing on latex stability and suitability for antibacterial andtransparent coating applications. Variations in emulsifier concentration were studiediiito understand their impact on solid content, particle size, and other key properties.A range of analytical techniques were conducted for understanding of physical andthermal properties of the latexes. The results demonstrate that they enhance latexstability, improve uniformity, and optimize the performance of the latex films.