Colloidal stability of water-based zirconium ionomer dispersions: a study of dynamic light scattering and rheology

The preparation of water-based ionomer dispersions by the post-polymerisation addition of zirconium species is described. The post-polymerisation addition studies were carried out on two series of polymer latices, poly(n-butylacrylate-stat-butylmethacrylate-start-acrylic acid) and poly(n-butylmethacrylate-stat-butylacrylate-start-acrylic acid) both prepared by semi-continuous emulsion polymerisation. A method has been established by which zirconium (in the form of ammonium zirconium carbonate (AZC)) can be successfully introduced to the latices without effecting the colloidal stability. This was confirmed by using both dynamic light scattering and rheology techniques.