Utilization of bio-based monomer derived from camelina oil and itaconic acid for the synthesis of film-forming latexes

The need for the production of synthetic polymers from renewable and sustainable resources also affects the area of emulsion polymerization. The bio-based monomer (BM) was synthesized from camelina oil (CO) and itaconic acid through transesterification and epoxidation of CO, followed by itaconation, resulting in a blend of methyl esters of CO-originated fatty acids functionalized with reactive methyl itaconate groups. Various amounts of BM were copolymerized with standard acrylic monomers (0−30 wt. % of BM in the monomer mixture) using the emulsion polymerization technique to obtain film-forming latexes. Infrared and Raman spectroscopies evidenced the successful incorporation of BM into the structure of latex polymers. The ultra-high molar mass nanogel fraction was detected by asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation coupled with a multiangle light scattering (AF4-MALS) for BM comprising copolymers; the higher the BM content, the more extensive the nanogel fraction. Crosslinking of latex polymers induced by BM testified to the reactivity of itaconated functions in emulsion polymerization and provided additional evidence of the copolymerization ability of the BM. The incorporation of BM also resulted in hardness and glass transition temperature enhancement (about 11% and 9°C, respectively, in the case of 30 wt. % of the BM content in contrast to 0 wt. % of the BM content in the copolymer). Coatings with excellent transparency and gloss were obtained from all latexes regardless of the BM content used. Slightly increased water repellency (about 7 ° increased water contact angle value) and significantly improved the water whitening resistance of the coatings (about 80% decreased water whitening after 1-day long water exposure) were found for coatings comprising 30 wt. % of BM in the copolymer, where the water whitening phenomenon was highly dependent on the BM content.