emulsion copolymerization of acrylic monomers to prepare pressure sensitives adhesive (psa): effect of triethylamine (tea) as an adhesion promoter on mechanical properties

A series of pressure-sensitive adhesives (psas) were synthesized by emulsion polymerization of styrene (st), butyl acrylate (ba), methyl methacrylate (mma) and acrylic acid (aa) as the starting monomers. triethylamine (tea) as an adhesion promotor was added in composition at different weight ratios with respect to monomers. the impact of tea on the resultant latex and psa properties was extensively investigated. dsc results showed that as the amount of tea increased, the glass transition temperature (tg) of the produced polymers were significantly increased. finally, concerning the adhesive properties of the psa, it was observed that loop tack initially increased and then decreased with the addition of tea from 0 to 2wt.% (with respect to the total amount of monomers). the maximum value was observed at 1wt.%.