Study by isothermal calorimetry and electrophoresis of the interaction between latices and cellulose derivatives

The influence of the latex surface chemistry on the association of latices with different cellulose derivatives has been investigated by means of isothermal calorimetry and electrophoresis. The chemistries of three grades of coating latices differed with regard to the type and amount of vinylic monomer and the level of carboxylation. In addition, a styrene/butadiene latex substantially free from surfactant was used to establish the influence of physically pre-adsorbed surfactants on the association with the cellulose derivatives sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and ethyl(hydroxyethyl)cellulose (EHEC). The results show that the latex chemistry, in terms of hydrophilic character originating from carboxylic acid groups, significantly affects the adsorption of the non-ionic HEC and EHEC. A higher degree of carboxylation or a more polar latex, such as vinyl acetate/acrylate, reduces the association with non-ionic cellulose derivatives. The addition of anionic sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate or non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate surfactants to the surfactant-free styrene/butadiene latex emulsion did not significantly change the association behaviour with EHEC, although it was evident that, for example, a sodium dodecyl sulphonate type of surfactant participated significantly in the adsorption process. Even if the surface polarity of the latex governs the association characteristics at the interface, the solubility properties of the cellulose derivatives must be considered, meaning that the hydrophobic character plays an important role in the associative interaction between the latex and cellulose derivatives in aqueous media. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.