Inexpensive protein biomass represent an interesting source of renewable feedstocks for novel materials due to their large availabilities and their propensity to aggregate due extensive inter and intramolecular interactions. However, like many other biopolymers, undesirable levels moisture absorption in protein-based plastics typically lead to fluctuating mechanical properties that are strongly dependent on environmental conditions. We have recently shown that a more hydrophobic material can be prepared by copolymerizing proteins with a non-water soluble vinyl monomer. To address the immiscibility of protein and the monomer and the lack of common good solvents between the two, an ionic surfactant was introduced as both a compatibilizer and a plasticizer for the protein. When heated, certain ratios of the protein, vinyl monomer, and surfactant produce homogeneous fluids even in the absence of solvents. Synthesis of materials with an expanded range of properties is enabled through the discovery of a surfactant that allows proteins to be miscible with monomers of different polarities. Surfactants that do not participate in polymerization remains in the material as plasticizers, and can result in softening of protein domains which lowers the mechanical strength of the materials. This study explores the use of polymerizable ionic liquid surfactants in the preparation of strong and tough protein-based elastomers. An ionic liquid surfactant bearing a vinyl group and a long hydrocarbon tail is synthesized, blended with proteins, and copolymerized with a hydrophobic monomer. The resultant materials are analyzed using a full range of mechanical and structural characterization techniques to examine its structure-property relationships.

Hydrophobic protein-based elastomers compatibilized with polymerizable surfactants

256th National Meeting (2018)

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