Interdiffusion of polymer chains during latex coating

Abstract

AbstractThe fluorescence method was used to study the interdiffusion of polymer chains during annealing of latex above its glass transition temperature (Tg). The latex film was prepared from mixture of naphthalene (N) (donor) and pyrene (P) (acceptor)‐labeled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) latex particles. Heptane was used as the coalescent agent. A steady‐state fluorescence technique was employed to measure the amount of direct nonradiative energy transfer from N to P during the interdiffusion of polymer chains across the particle–particle junction. Various latex films with different latex contents were used to measure the percentage critical occupation for the reliable steady‐state fluorescence measurements. Diffusions activation energies in these latex films were measured and found to be around 30 kcal/mol, which was attributed to the backbone motion of PMMA chains.