Films from styrene–butyl acrylate lattices using maleic or succinic surfactants: mechanical properties, water rebound and grafting of the surfactants

Abstract A series of anionic and zwitterionic maleic surfactants have been synthesized and engaged in styrene–butyl acrylate emulsion polymerization. Some non-reactive succinic analogs have been synthesized in order to perform their comparison with the maleic surfactants in polymerization experiments. Films from the obtained lattices were cast, and their mechanical properties and the water rebound were tested. The results of water rebound demonstrate significant difference between the films prepared with maleic or succinic surfactants. Water rebound of the films after 34 days in the case of succinic surfactants was found to be between 51 and 95%, while for maleic surfactants it is only 25–4…