Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate helps to produce biobased hydrophobic waterborne protective coatings by emulsion polymerization
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: As sustainability concerns increase, the need to explore new biobased monomers arises. In this work, latexes with high biobased (61–71 %) and solids content (up to 40 %) are produced by emulsion polymerization for their application as coatings. Initially, the emulsion homopolymerization of three different soft biobased methacrylates is investigated; 2-octyl methacrylate (OMA), tetrahydrogeraniol methacrylate (TGM) and tetradecyl methacrylate (TDM). The challenges to polymerize these monomers by emulsion polymerization are addressed and the properties of the homopolymers obtained measured (T g and molar masses). Secondly, the three different soft biobased methacrylates are copolymerized by seeded semibatch emulsion polymerization with tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFM) which is a hard and more hydrophilic biobased monomer. It is observed that by increasing THFM content the incorporation of the hydrophobic monomers is facilitated. Among the different synthesized copolymers, OMA/THFM 87/13 wt% and TGM/THFM 41/59 wt% present good film forming properties, suitable mechanical properties and better water resistance than a petroleum-based methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate (MMA/BA) copolymer. • Hydrophobic biobased monomers are promising for waterborne coating applications. • These monomers have diffusion limitations in emulsion polymerization. • Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate facilitates incorporating hydrophobic monomers. • 40 % solids content copolymer latexes were produced with biobased contents >60 %. • Biobased copolymers show superior water resistance than oil-based copolymer.
Source: Progress in Organic Coatings
Institutions: University of the Basque Country, Polymat
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,350
OpenAlex ID: W4407848120