Emulsifiers for Emulsion Polymerization

Anionic Emusifiers

CONVENTIONAL EMULSIFIERS

TRADE NAME	CHEMICAL NAME	FORM AT 25 C	APPLICATION
Spectramul EP 110	Alkyl phenol ether sulfate, ammonium salt	Liquid	Versatile emulsifier; can be used in a number of monomer systems
Spectramul EP 120	Alkyl phenol ether sulfate, ammonium salt	Liquid	Versatile emulsifier, imparts fine particle size to the resultant emulsion
Spectramul RE 610	Alkyl phenol ethoxy phosphoric acid ester	Liquid	Emulsifier for VAM homo and copolymers, imparts fine particle size
Spectramul S 301	Alkyl phenol ether sulfate, ammonium salt	Liquid	Versatile emulsifier; can be used in multitude of systems in combination with nonionic
Spectramul OPS 25	Alkyl phenol ether sulfate, sodium salt	Liquid	Anionic emulsifier used to make a variety of binders, imparts good mechanical stability
Spectramul TRK	Alkyl phenol ether sulfate, sodium salt	Liquid	Produces emulsions of very fine particle size, specially used in making paint binders

APEO FREE EMULSIFIERS

TRADE NAME	CHEMICAL NAME	FORM AT 25 C	APPLICATION
Spectramul APF 110	Spectramul EP 110	Liquid	Versatile emulsifer; can be used in a number of monomer systems
Spectramul APF 120	Spectramul EP 120	Liquid	Versatile emulsifer, imparts fne particle size to the resultant emulsion
Spectramul APFR 10	Spectramul RE 610	Liquid	Emulsifer for VAM homo and copolymers, imparts fne particle size
Spectramul APF TES	Spectramul S 301	Liquid	Versatile emulsifer; can be used in multitude of systems in combination with nonionic
Spectramul TR 2030	Spectramul OPS 25	Liquid	Anionic emulsifer used to make a variety of binders, imparts good mechanical stability
Spectramul APF TES - N	Spectramul TRK	Liquid	Produces emulsions of very fne particle size, specially used in making paint binders
Spectramul APF A73	Linear alcohol ether sulfate, sodium salt	Liquid	Versatile emulsifer; can be used in multitude of systems in combination with nonionics
Spectramul W 96	PROPRIETARY	Liquid	Excellent emulsifer, wetting agent and post polymerization additive
Spectramul NA	Linear alcohol ether sulfate, sodium salt	Liquid	Versatile emulsifer to produce finely dispersed, electrolyte stable emulsions
Spectramul 25 P	Alkyl aryl sulfonate	Liquid	Versatile product: recommended for acrylic latexes with high protective colloid content
Spectramul 25 LF	Proprietary sulfonate	Liquid	Low foaming, stable to hard water; used in manufacture of lamination adhesives
Spectramul OT 50	Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate	Liquid	Extremely versatile wetting agent and emulsifer
Spectramul 8070	Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate	Liquid	Concentrated form of OT 50
Spectramul 6836	Alpha olefn sulfonate	Liquid	Emulsifer which functions at low dosage levels, used in vinyl chloride latex manufacture
Spectramul PS 302	Polymerizable surfactant, sulfate based, ammonium salt	Liquid	Low foaming emulsifer which offer better stability to the latex with excellent water repellence
Spectramul PS 303	Polymerizable surfactant, phosphate based, ammonium salt	Liquid	Provides excellent gloss in paint when used to make paint emulsions, enables better adhesion to substrates

Emulsion polymerization is a unique chemical process widely used to produce waterborne resins with various colloidal and physicochemical properties. This technique is used in the production of a wide range of speciality polymers which are used in adhesives, paints, binders for textiles, nonwoven fabrics, construction chemicals etc.

This process involves emulsification of the relatively hydrophobic monomer in water by an emulsifier, followed by the initiation reaction with a suitable initiator. The process of emulsification of monomers and stabilizing this emulsion is highly complex. Successful emulsification and its stabilization is dependent on the HLB value of the surfactant which is being used as the emulsifier. In addition to the HLB value, a variety of other factors also need to be taken into consideration while choosing an emulsifier which include the temperature at which emulsification is done, solvents used in the system, the pH at which the process is carried out among others.

Choosing the correct emulsifier for emulsion polymerization is crucial. Spectra provides a complete range of emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization. These products guarantee a high level of efficiency, consistency and provide value-added benefits.

APEO free emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization perform equally well as the APEO based products, but have an added advantage of being biodegradable. Slowly and steadily, the outlook of the industry is changing where the focus is now on developing APEO free alternatives to conventional APEO based emulsifiers. These products are based on ethoxylated straight chain and branched fatty alcohols. These products are nonionic as well as anionic.

These emuslifiers can be divided into two classes:

NONIONIC EMUSLIFIERS:

The primary advantages of using nonionic emulsifiers are their stability over a wide pH range and freeze thaw stability. Added benefits of nonionics are their stability to hard water and relatively less foaming character than the anionics. We have a wide range of nonionic products that encompass the entire HLB spectrum. These products are based on alkyl phenols, fatty alcohols, branched alcohols and esters. They are excellent emulsifiers which can work in both oil in water and water in oil systems. Specific products can be used at elevated temperatures, be compatible with a wide variety of solvents, or be stable at any pH.

ANIONIC EMULSIFIERS:

The main function of anionic emulsifiers is to produce a stable monomer emulsion and to prevent the formation of coagulum during the manufacturing process, in order to reduce grit levels. We have a wide variety of anionic surfactants in our basket. The primary advantages of using anionic surfactants are their ability to control the particle size in the emulsion and the added stability of the so formed emulsions. These products are based on ether sulfates, sulfonates, phosphate esters and sulfosuccinates.