Emulsion polymerization is one of the most industrially relevant methods to synthesize commodity polymers used in latex paint and acrylic coatings. An industrially relevant semi-batch method of emulsion polymerization was used to prepare copolymers of soybean methacrylate (SBMA), using high oleic soybean oil (HOSO), with various co-monomers such as methyl methacrylate, styrene, and butyl acrylate. All polymerizations achieved almost complete monomer incorporation with little to no coagulation. Variable feed ratios (from 0 to 50 wt% of SBMA) offer tunability of thermal and mechanical properties in resulting latex materials. Oxidative crosslinking of latexes films resulted in high levels of crosslinking, consistent with SBMA content, and significant enhancement in mechanical properties, indicating good potential for replacement of petrochemical methacrylates in commodity thermoplastics and acrylic coatings.

Plant oil-derived emulsion polymers with post-polymerization induced mechanical enhancement

2019 Spring National Meeting

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