Hydrolyzable Emulsifier-Containing Poly(meth)acrylate Latices for Paper Coating

Coatings of polystyrene and poly(meth)acrylate latices containing alkali-hydrolyzable or nonhydrolyzable cationic emulsifiers on filter papers pretreated with inorganic salts were investigated at room temperature. The surfaces of fibers in the Na2CO3-pretreated papers were coated almost uniformly with the latices containing hydrolyzable emulsifiers. The tendency was more remarkable for polymers with a lower glass transition temperature. Furthermore, thermal annealing at low temperature could improve the surface roughness. These results indicate that hydrolysis of the emulsifier facilitates the coalescence of latex particles and the subsequent polymer adhesion to the paper surfaces, leading to the surface modification.