First, VOC and volatile matter detection is required. Analytical methods such as gas chromatography can be used to detect volatile organic compounds in the emulsion, focusing on residual monomers, solvents, and other easily volatile small molecules. For odor-neutralizing emulsions, the product's volatilization release under specific conditions can also be tested. By comparing the VOC content and release levels of different formulations, their environmental performance can be assessed. During testing, attention should be paid to sample collection, sealing, and storage conditions to prevent sample volatilization before testing, which could affect the final results.
Second, odor detection is necessary. Odor is usually related to residual monomers, low-molecular-weight substances, and some additives in the emulsion. During testing, the odor of the emulsion or the coating film prepared from it can be evaluated under specified temperature, humidity, and sample volume conditions. Rating assessment can be conducted by trained evaluators or supplemented by professional odor analysis equipment. In actual evaluation, a unified testing environment and evaluation time are required to avoid interference from other odors in the laboratory environment.
Furthermore, residual monomers and other harmful substances in the emulsion also need to be detected. For environmentally friendly, odor-neutralizing emulsions used in architectural coatings, testing for free formaldehyde, specific harmful substances, and related restricted substances can be conducted based on the product's positioning. Excessive residual monomer content can not only lead to a noticeable odor but also affect the emulsion's stability and coating performance. Therefore, during production, it is usually necessary to reduce residual monomers by optimizing the polymerization reaction and post-processing, and to confirm whether the product meets the specified requirements through testing.
In addition to environmental indicators, basic emulsion performance testing should also be conducted. Common items include appearance, solid content, viscosity, pH value, particle size, density, and storage stability. Environmentally friendly, odor-neutralizing emulsions should not sacrifice basic performance characteristics in order to reduce VOCs and odor. For example, if the emulsion is prone to separation, flocculation, or demulsification, it will be difficult to meet actual application requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct high-temperature storage,