A fluorescence approach to investigate repartitioning of coalescing agents in acrylic polymer emulsions

Repartitioning of co-solvents between particles of latex emulsions was investigated by means of a fluorescence method based on the detection of the amount of co-solvent via the solvatochromic shift of the emission maximum of a fluorescent probe, copolymerized at a low concentration. Complete repartitioning of co-solvents between particles of latex materials with a low T (g) (ca. 25 °C) occurred within minutes. For a hydrophilic latex with a T (g) of 68 °C, equilibration was achieved within an hour. Repartitioning was faster for more hydrophobic co-solvents. For a hydrophobic latex of similar T (g), co-solvent repartitioning took place on the same time scale, but complete equilibration was not reached. Possibly, there is an additional slow component in the repartitioning, or the prolonged presence of co-solvent causes a structural change in the latex particles that affects the outcome of the experiment.