Visible light emission to probe inter-particle diffusion in latex films

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The primary purpose of paints is to protect a substrate with a continuous polymer film. The polymer film is typically obtained by applying a waterborne latex solution onto the substrate. As the water evaporates, the latex particles come into contact allowing for polymer chains to diffuse from one latex particle to another, until a homogeneous and continuous polymer film is being generated. The diffusion of chains between latex particles is influenced by a number of parameters such as the type of polymer, the solvent, dispersants, and/or polymer composition used to prepare the latex. A technique capable of providing a direct measure of film formation would be extremely valuable to the formulation chemist to directly correlate the variables used to design the latex particles used to generate a film or enhance inter-particle diffusion. For the application's chemist, a direct measure of film formation would help the selection of formulation additives that would optimize film properties.