Dibutyl Itaconate and Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymers by Emulsion Polymerization for Development of Sustainable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives.

Carlos Rafael Casas-Soto,Alain Salvador Conejo-Dávila,Velia Osuna,Sergio Gabriel Flores-Gallardo,Alejandro Vega-Rios,José Carlos Espinoza-Hicks,David Chávez-Flores

doi:10.3390/polym14030632

Abstract

Renewable polymers possess the potential to replace monomers from petrochemical sources. The design and development of polymeric materials from sustainable materials are a technological challenge. The main objectives of this study were to study the microstructure of copolymers based on itaconic acid (IA), di-n-butyl itaconate (DBI), and lauryl methacrylate (LMA); and to explore and to evaluate these copolymers as pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA). The copolymer synthesis was carried out through batch emulsion radical polymerization, an environmentally friendly process. IA was used in a small fixed amount as a functional comonomer, and LMA was selected due to low glass transition temperature (Tg). The structure of synthesized copolymers was studied by FTIR, 1H-NMR, Soxhlet extraction, and molecular weight analyses by GPC. Furthermore, the viscoelastic and thermal properties of copolymer films were characterized by DMA, DSC, and TGA. The single Tg displayed by the poly(DBI-LMA-IA) terpolymers indicates that statistical random composition copolymers were obtained. Moreover, FTIR and NMR spectra confirm the chemical structure and composition. It was found that a cross-linked microstructure and higher molecular weight are observed with an increase of LMA in the feed led. The Tg and modulus (G′) of the copolymers film can be tuned with the ratio of DBI:LMA providing a platform for a wide range of applications as a biobased alternative to produce waterborne PSA.

Highlights

The development of polymeric materials from renewable resources has become essential in recent years due to the depletion of natural and fossil resources
The copolymerization is initiated by persulfates, where the radicals are generated in the aqueous phase
Various copolymers were obtained with a different di-n-butyl itaconate (DBI):lauryl methacrylate (LMA) ratio and the identical quantity of itaconic acid (IA)

Summary

Introduction

The development of polymeric materials from renewable resources has become essential in recent years due to the depletion of natural and fossil resources. Growing environmental awareness and more stringent regulations on the volatile organic compounds content in coatings and adhesives are the major driving forces for developing environmentally friendly processes or materials [1,2,3]. The majority of commercial pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) materials are acrylic-based, derived from fossil resources, due to their high performance [4]. The term PSA refers to a viscoelastic material that adheres to a solid surface “permanently” at room temperature, under slight pressure, and short contact time without any phase transition or chemical reaction [5].

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