The effect of emulsifiers on the mechanical properties of emulsion pressure sensitive adhesives (EPSA) synthesized by emulsion semibatch terpolymerization of n-BA, BMA, VAc and AA

Pressure sensitive adhesives(PSAs) are viscoelastic materials that can adhere to solid surfaces in a short time with an aid of light pressure.1 PSAs are widely used at the industrial scale aslabels, tapes and protective films.2 From the basic research point of view, the tack property of such adhesives is a veryinteresting behavior. Indeed, for the viscoelastic materials to have the property of tack, adhesion must be developed duringthe bonding step and cohesion during debonding step.Conventional emulsion polymerization systems include water, initiator, monomers, and emulsifier, in which emulsifiersincluding anionic and non-ionic emulsifier play a crucial role as stabilizers although emulsifiers do not participate in thepolymerization process directly. Emulsifiers are also very important for the nucleation of the latex particles, emulsification of monomer droplets, stabilization of polymerparticles during polymerization, and maintaining product shelf life. As a result, the study of emulsifier effects on the properties of EPSA is of paramount importance.