Abstract
The formation of colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP) particles from single polymer strands was investigated as a function of molecular weight. The CUP particle size was correlated with the absolute molecular weight and its distribution. The characteristics of the particles were evaluated with respect to viscosity, acid number, size distribution, and stability. The particle size varied from less than 3 nm to above 8 nm representing polymers with molecular weight in the range of 3000–153,000. Lower molecular weight polymers were found to be unstable. Particle size measurements using dynamic light scattering technique indicated a normal distribution which corresponded to the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer. The statistical distribution of the acid groups in the polymer chains played a significant role in the stability of low molecular weight polymers.
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The authors would like to acknowledge the Coatings Institute and the Department of Chemistry of Missouri S&T for the financial support and resources and to thank Jigar Mistry for help in GPC.
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This paper was awarded the Shelby F. Thames Best Paper Award at the 40th Annual International Waterborne, High-Solids, and Powder Coatings Symposium, held February 4–8, 2013, in New Orleans, LA.
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Van De Mark, M.R., Natu, A.M., Gade, S.V. et al. Molecular weight (M n) and functionality effects on CUP formation and stability. J Coat Technol Res 11, 111–122 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-013-9526-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-013-9526-y