Colloidal Properties of Aqueous Poly(vinyl acetate)-Borate Dispersions with Short-Chain Glycol Ethers

• Published in: Chemphyschem 2016-08, Vol.17 (16), p.2535-2544
• Main Authors: Duncan, Teresa T., Berrie, Barbara H., Weiss, Richard G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aggregation; gels; neutron diffraction; Neutrons; poly(vinyl acetate); Scanning electron microscopy; surface cleaning; Viscoelasticity
• ISSN: 1439-4235; 1439-7641
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201600266

We report the influence of adding five short‐chain glycol ethers (SCGEs) on the structure, stability, and viscoelastic properties of aqueous dispersions of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) and borax. The properties of these gel‐like materials have been investigated as a function of the structure of the added SCGE both below and above the critical aggregation (or micellar) concentrations using 11B and 13C NMR, rheology, and small‐angle neutron scattering. The results indicate that the SCGE aggregation behavior is not affected by incorporation into the gel‐like network. However, changes in the viscoelasticity and structural properties of the dispersions were detected that can be correlated to the nature of the solvent system. Also, the ability of these materials to clean an unvarnished acrylic paint surface coated with synthetic soil has been evaluated using colorimetery, and the surface of the dispersion after cleaning was visualized with scanning electron microscopy. Why did the boron cross the polymer? The physical and structural properties of gel‐like high‐viscosity dispersions (composed of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) and borax) are investigated as a function of the structure of added short‐chain glycol ethers, which are incorporated into the solvent system both below and above the critical aggregation (or micellar) concentrations. An application to cleaning surfaces is also assessed.