Improvement properties of building materials are essential. In this dissertation thesis, the main concern had been on synthesizing a new resin to improve the properties of concrete and brick. Solvent-based polymers have been used for many years to improve the quality of building materials. In contrast to solvent-based polymers, water-based emulsion polymers are one of the available solutions that have been used to improve the quality of building materials. Several advantages can be enumerated for water-based emulsion polymers such as lower volatile organic compounds (VOC), easier application, lower carbon dioxide emissions in the production, and fossil resource preservation. Water-based emulsion polymers are synthesized from simple homopolymers to copolymers with various monomers and additives. In this research, the synthesis and characterization of water-based acrylic styrene emulsion copolymer had been the main concern. Acrylic monomers could develop the qualities such as thermoplasticity, water solubility, and a longer lifespan of the polymer, while styrene monomers will impart water resistance and stiffness properties. In this research, the first step had been the synthesis of a water-based emulsion copolymer. Furthermore, considering the importance of biodegradability of the synthesized copolymer, the research followed by the replacement of ingredients such as emulsifiers with higher biodegradability characteristics with eco-friendly by-products, i.e. reducing the microplastic hazards. As a result, the copolymer could be decomposed better, and consequently, problems with the release of microplastics will be reduced. The synthesized water-based acrylic styrene emulsion copolymer was characterized by FTIR, DSC, and TGA. The FTIR results confirmed successful emulsion polymerization of acrylic styrene copolymer. DSC results confirmed the formation of an amorphous thermoplastic type of copolymer with a single glass transition temperature. The TGA result also confirms a single decomposition temperature. The film formation was carried out using a film applicator to evaluate the film formation properties. The substitution of the superseded emulsifiers (both anionic and nonionic) did not alter the characteristics of the synthesized copolymer, while some of the qualities such as water absorbance of the dried copolymer are improved (a water absorption test was carried out). To improve the quality of both synthesized emulsion copolymers (with conventional and superseded emulsifiers), the nanocomposite of the emulsion copolymer was prepared (Cloisite 30B at a concentration of 0.2 to 1 %). The synthesized nanocomposite showed better water resistance in the coating application in contrast with emulsion copolymer. The next stage of the research has been concentrated on the application of the synthesized water-based emulsion copolymer to building materials (concrete and brick). The synthesis copolymer has been applied as a coating on the surface of the concrete and bricks. Moreover, the synthesis copolymer was used as one of the ingredients in the mixture of the concrete. The promising results for the coating improved when the synthesis polymer was modified with nanoparticles (Cloisite 30B at a concentration of 1 % weight of the latex). Incorporating the synthesized copolymer in the mixture of concrete caused decreasing in the density of concrete by 4 % ( via air voids formation mechanism). However, water absorption was improved when synthesized copolymer was mixed with the concrete. The synthesized copolymer and the nanocomposite is a suitable coating for the concrete and brick. Furthermore, this copolymer is a suitable water-based coating with improved properties in building materials.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hb-27966 |
Date | January 2022 |
Creators | Nasr, Shahab |
Publisher | Högskolan i Borås, Akademin för textil, teknik och ekonomi |
Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
Language | Swedish |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
Format | application/pdf |
Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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