Synthesis and Characterization of Waterborne Sulfonate Polyesters

Abstract Waterborne sulfonate polyesters (WSPs) are prepared by esterification and condensation reaction using 1,4‐cyclohexadimethanol, diethylene glycol, and iso‐phthalic acid as monomers and 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt as hydrophilic monomers. The obtained WSPs are characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1 H NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, and water contact angle is also investigated. Their T g can be adjusted between 30 and 55 °C by changing the ratio of monomers. The WSPs have good thermal stability at 350 °C. The static contact results show that the existence of sulfonic group enhances the hydrophilicity of WSPs. Compared with the waterborne acrylic polyester and polyurethane sold in the market, the prepared WSPs show excellent defoaming performance.