Abstract
Use of vegetable oil macromonomers (VOMMs) as comonomers in emulsion
polymerization enables good film coalescence without the addition of solvents that
constitute volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOMMs are derived from renewable
resources and offer the potential of post-application crosslinking via auto-oxidation.
However, chain transfer reactions of VOMMs with initiator and/or polymer radicals
during emulsion polymerization reduce the amount of allylic hydrogen atoms available
for primary auto-oxidation during drying. Vegetable oils and derivatives were reacted in
combination with butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate via solution polymerization.
The copolymerization was monitored using in situ infrared spectroscopy to determine the
extent of chain transfer. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the loci of chain
transfer and the molecular weight characteristics of the polymers were characterized by
SEC. Solution polymerization was utilized to minimize temperature fluctuations and
maintain polymer solubility during the initial characterization.