Bio-based copolymers obtained through miniemulsion copolymerization of methyl esters of acrylated fatty acids and styrene

Abstract

Polymers based on renewable sources are promising materials, and can find many uses in coatings and adhesive applications. The goal of this work was to synthesize and characterize bio-based styrene/acrylated fatty acid methyl ester (AFAME) copolymer—poly(styrene-co-AFAME) prepared by miniemulsion polymerization. The main strategy adopted was to functionalize the bio-monomer with acrylic acid that was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR measurements, to allow its free-radical homo- or copolymerization with styrene. Poly(styrene-co-AFAME) with different AFAME content were obtained and their composition were evaluated by 1H NMR. Dynamic light scattering measurements throughout the reactions have indicated a very stable colloidal systems and average particles size ranges 100–150 nm. The structural and physical properties of poly(styrene-co-AFAME) were investigated by DTG-DTA, DSC which displayed a decreasing of glass transition temperature with increase of AFAME content. The results showed in this study have indicated that the poly(styrene-co-AFAME) can be used in several fields because their characteristics are totally distinct. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1422–1432