Emulsifiers for Emulsion Polymerization

Nonionic Emusifiers

CONVENTIONAL EMULSIFIERS

TRADE NAME	CHEMICAL NAME	FORM AT 25 C	APPLICATION
Spectramul X 45	Octyl phenol ethoxylate	Liquid	Low foaming oil compatible emulsifer
Spectramul X 100	Octyl phenol ethoxylate	Liquid	Excellent detergent, emulsifer and wetting agent
Spectramul X 114	Octyl phenol ethoxylate	Liquid	Nonionic emulsifer, provides excellent wetting and detergency
Spectramul X 1657	Octyl phenol ethoxylate	Liquid	Excellent emulsion stabilizer and dispersant
Spectramul X 405	Octyl phenol ethoxylat	Liquid	Produces emulsions with excellent mechanical stability and resistance to electrolytes. Used in manufacture of adhesives and paint binders
Spectramul PE 40	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Liquid	Oil soluble co emulsifer, helps in control of foam in the system. Used in manufacture of lamination and tape adhesives
Spectramul S 60	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Liquid	Oil soluble emulsifer, wetting agent
Spectramul S 100	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Liquid	Extremely versatile nonionic emulsifer, improves stability of emulsion
Spectramul S 130	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Liquid	Co emulsifer, contributes to freeze thaw and mechanical stability. Used in manufacture of tape adhesives.
Spectramul S 150	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Paste	Co emulsifer and post polymerization additive. Used in manufacture of tape adhesives.
Spectramul S 200	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Solid	Nonionic co emulsifer, improves stability
Spectramul S 250	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Solid	Co emulsifer, used in conjunction with anionics
Spectramul S 300	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Solid	Co emulsifer, used in conjunction with anionics. Used in manufacture of paint binders
Spectramul S 400	Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate	Solid	Co emulsifer, used in conjunction with anionics

APEO FREE EMULSIFIERS

TRADE NAME	CHEMICAL NAME	FORM AT 25 C	APPLICATION
Spectramul APF 910	Spectramul S 100/Spectramul X 100	Liquid	Extremely versatile nonionic emulsifier, dispersing agent and wetting agent
Spectramul APF 150	Spectramul S 150	Liquid	Co emulsifier and post polymerization additive
Spectramul APF 200	Spectramul S 200	Liquid	Nonionic co emulsifier, improves stability
Spectramul APF 250	Spectramul S 250	Liquid	Co emulsifier, used in conjunction with anionics
Spectramul APF 300	Spectramul S 300	Liquid	Co emulsifier, used in conjunction with anionics
Spectramul APF 940	Spectramul SK 30	Liquid	Co emulsifier, can be used as a dispersing agent
Spectramul APF 115	Spectramul X 405	Liquid	Produces emulsions with excellent mechanical stability and resistance to electrolytes
Spectramul PS 301	Polymerizable Surfactant	Liquid	Provides a more water repellant coating with built in freeze thaw stability
Spectramul W 96	PROPRIETARY	Liquid	Excellent emulsifier, wetting agent and post polymerization additive

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.