The application research of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) in acrylate latex pressure sensitive adhesives

Abstract The cyclic methacrylate monomer benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) was evaluated as an alternative to traditional methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a hard monomer in the application of an acrylate latex pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The influences of BzMA on the resultant latex and PSA properties were comprehensively investigated. Both FTIR and 1H NMR analysis indicated that BzMA could be successfully introduced into the latex PSA copolymer through emulsion polymerization. TEM images illustrated that the synthesized latex particles are spherical and uniform. DSC and TGA results showed that the Tg of the copolymer was elevated, while thermal stability was first increased and then decreased with the introduction of BzMA. Besides, it was also found that the water resistance of the latex PSA was improved by the presence of BzMA, which was confirmed by water contact angle measurements. Furthermore, as the BzMA content increased, the gel content slightly decreased, while sol molecular weight (Mw, Mn) of the polymer increased. Finally, with respect to the adhesive properties of the PSA, it was observed that loop tack decreased, while shear strength increased with the incorporation of BzMA. 180° peel strength initially increased and then decreased with the addition of BzMA from 0 to 30 wt%, with a maximum value at 5 wt%.