Study on the preparation and properties of polyurethane/polyacrylate hybrid latexes

Polyurethane (PU)/polyacrylate (PA) hybrid latexes were synthesized by core/shell latex polymerization technique. Structure and morphology of the hybrid latexes were characterized by DMA, WAXD, and DLS. Effects of PU/PA mass ratio, blending method, and NCO/OH mole ratio on properties, structure, and morphology of hybrid latexes were studied and discussed. PU/PA hybrid latexes had better water resistance and mechanical properties than those of physical polymer blends. When PA content in PU/PA hybrid latexes was < 50%, good compatibility between PU and PA components was observed PA content and NCO/OH mole ratio in PU/PA hybrid latexes affected their particle size. When PA content in PU/PA hybrid latexes was < 33%, average particle size of PU/PA hybrid latexes was almost the same as that of PU latex. However, the average particle size increased remarkably with further increase in PA content. Particle size of PU/PA hybrid latexes increased with increasing NCO/OH mole ratio.