Waterborne epoxy resin modified by AMPS

A stable epoxy emulsion was prepared with epoxy resin (EP) as raw material, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) as modifier and benzoyl peroxide as initiator. By criterion of yield of the copolymer AMPS-EP, water-solubility, change of the acid value and intrinsic viscosity [η] along with reaction time, the copolymerization course was deduced. It is found that during the process, AMPS takes part in both the grafting copolymerization with epoxy principal chain and the ring-opening polyaddition with epoxy group. It is also discovered that the yield of AMPS-EP and water dispersing varies with reaction time. When it reaches 1.5 h, AMPS-EP can obtain good water-solubility; but the water-solubility will go bad gradually if it exceeds 3.5 h. IR spectrum analysis indicates that partial epoxy group partially remains and the others create sulfonic ester.