Emulsion polymerization was developed at the end of XIX century as an attempt of reproduction of a polymer discovered in rubber-bearing plants [1] . Nowadays polymerization in emulsion is one of the widespread ways of polymerization used for receiving of synthetic rubbers, acrylic dispersions, polysterene, ABS-plastics, PVA dispersions. As a result of this process a synthetic latex (polymers dispersion) which is directly used in rubber, leather and building industry or is processed in rubber with the help of coagulation and solid polymer secretion is received.

Emulsion polymerization is characterized by a comparatively easy process managing which is caused by good heat exchange conditions and thus by the opportunity of keeping of necessary temperature conditions in all points of a system, as well as the opportunity of adding various additives which influence the polymer qualities during polymerization.

All enumerated peculiarities and advantages of emulsion polymerization, relatively narrow the temperature range of its realization [2] , accessibility of laboratory equipment induced the investigation of emulsion polymerization on the base of methacrylic monomers.

The investigations have been carried out in following directions:

・ the influence of monomeric structure and organic additives on polymerization kinetics and properties of dispersions and copolymers formed from them have been studied

・ the formation of a double electric layer and solvation shells around polymeric particles has been studied

・ the influence of the disperse environment structure on properties of dispersions and copolymers formed from them has been studied.

With the application of various modified monomers―unsaturated acids [3] , mono- and dimethacrylate of diatomic alcohols [4] [5] , decylmethacrylates [6] [7] , methyl-α-alkyl acrylates [8] the kinetics and mechanisms of emulsion polymerization have been investigated, the dispersions on the basis of basic industrial methacrylic monomers (butylacrylate, metylacrylate, metylmethacrylate) have been synthesized, their colloidal chemical properties and film-forming ability have been investigated. The investigation of emulsion polymerization of methyl-α-acrylates with a number of acrylic monomers allowed specification of the mechanism of emulsion aqueous polymerization of (meth)acrylic monomers [9] . The destructive influence of decylmethacrylates on emulsion polymerization of methyl acrylates and restriction of their content in monomeric mixture (25% mas.) have been determined [6] [10] . Up to 25% increase of decylmethacrylate a monomeric mixture proportionally reduces the rate emulsion copolymerization of methyl acrylate and maximum conversion (Figure 1).

The dispersions of comb copolymers of methyl acrylates with a decylmethacrylates content of 25% (by weight) in the monomer mixture have been received by emulsion polymerization and their colloidal chemical properties have been investigated [11] .

Within many years a number of different actions including applied character have been done concerning the investigation of application of low-molecular organic additives for giving special properties to the dispersions and films received from them [12] .

It has been determined that hard phase low-molecular organic additives such as thiolsulfonate, derivatives of naphthoquinones and dyes lessen the speed of emulsion polymerization and maximal conversion (Figure 2). By this effect they are similar to the action of decyl(meth)acrylate which testifies the similarity of inhibit action in both cases. Both decyl(meth)acrylates and derivatives of naphthoquinones and dyes are water-insoluble, which are distributed in a monomeric phase. One can assume that they block the penetration of radicals from the water

phase, namely persulphate ion radicals and hydroxil radicals in the inner part of micelle.

The use of unsaturated acids, monomethacrylates of diatomic alcohols as the most popular methacrylate monomers able to be re-distributed between aqueous and monomeric phases [3] [13] allowed attraction of them, together with emulsifying agents, to formation of protective layers on the surface of polymer particles (Figure 3).

The regulation of рН synthesized dispersions of carboxyl containing polymers allowed essential influence on the structure of a double electric layer and as a result on the value of solvate coverings and globular structure of macromolecules in the disperse phase particles.

The observed essential increasing of stableness of investigated colloidal systems has become the base of tech- nology of frost-resistant acrylic dispersions synthesis development using the technology of non-coagulum polymerization realized in industrial conditions at manufacturing of Ivano-Frankivsk firm “Barva” (Ukraine) [14] . The application of extraction of organic solvents from synthesized dispersions of (alkyl)acrylic monomers proved the high degree of transformation of monomers into a polymer which ensured non-toxicity and ecological compatibility of these colloidal systems [15] .

The reconstruction of macromolecules structure in polymeric particles at рНchange the consequence of which was the viscosity of dispersions of carboxyl containing polymers (Figure 4) change allowed the essential influence on their interaction with organic additions the molecules of which contained considerable hydrophobic particles [3] [16] . It enabled the regulation of distribution of non-water-soluble organic additions in dispersions and films and their optic properties.

The use of monoatomic alcohols for disperse environment properties regulation allowed the essential influence on rheological properties of dispersions and physical mechanical properties of films received from them without copolymers composition change (Figure 5) [17] .

The regulation of рН of aqueous dispersions of methacrylic polymers and the application of monoatomic alcohols allowed receiving of the homogeneous coverings and films with water insoluble organic additions without their chemical modification. It guaranteed the receiving of coloured and biocidal films with the application of naphthoquinones and thiolsulfonate derivatives.

The conducted investigations allowed development of the effective film creating compositions which were synthesized at research manufactures of Ukraine and Russia.

Acrylic dispersions synthesized at open joint stock company “Barva” in 1996 were successfully used and are being used for architectural monuments surface purification during restoration in Lviv [18] - [20] .

According to the spectrophotometric analysis the amount of particles in these dispersions exceeds 200nm, which is more than in 1996 and testifies the partial flocculation and agglomeration of particles, but dispersion keeps all main characteristics typical for these materials―typical look, ability to filmmaking, combining at certain pH with organic additives.

The influence of structure of methacrylic monomers such as monomethacrylates of butandiol, methacrylic acid, decilmethacrylates, methyl-α-alkilacrylates on kinetics of emulsive copolymerization and properties of dispersions and films received from them have been determined. During emulsive copolymerization monomethacrylates of butandiol and methacrylic acid are partially re-distributed into a water phase taking part in forming a double electric layer on particles surface. Water insoluble decilmethacrylates, thiolsulfonates, derivatives of naphthoquinones and dyes decelerate the radical emulsive polymerization diminishing the maximum conversion. The regulation of рН dispersions of methacrylic polymers containing parts of methacrylic acid and the nature of water soluble base influence the viscosity and respectively the hydrodynamic radius of particles. It is conditioned by the structural reconstruction of macromolecules at pH dispersions change. The structure and content of mono atomic alcohols at certain pH also influence the structural reconstructure of macro molecules as a result of the interaction with hydrophobic particles of molecules and this changes the viscosity of dispersions. The application of water soluble bases and mono atomic alcohols allowed the influence on distribution of water insoluble additives in dispersions and receiving of homogeneous films and coverings. The received results on studying of kinetics of emulsive polymerization of methacrylic monomers with methacrylic acid, receiving and properties of dispersions, films and coverings have become the basis of non coagulum technologies of frost-resistant acrylic dispersions receiving.

Vladyslav Voloshynets, (2016) Synthesis, Investigation and Use Aqueous Acrylic Dispersions. Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science,06,124-129. doi: 10.4236/aces.2016.62014