Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate helps to produce biobased hydrophobic waterborne protective coatings by emulsion polymerization

As sustainability concerns increase, the need to explore new biobased monomers arises. In this work, latexes with high biobased (61–71 %) and solids content (up to 40 %) are produced by emulsion polymerization for their application as coatings. Initially, the emulsion homopolymerization of three different soft biobased methacrylates is investigated; 2-octyl methacrylate (OMA), tetrahydrogeraniol methacrylate (TGM) and tetradecyl methacrylate (TDM). The challenges to polymerize these monomers by emulsion polymerization are addressed and the properties of the homopolymers obtained measured (T g and molar masses). Secondly, the three different soft biobased methacrylates are copolymerized by seeded semibatch emulsion polymerization with tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFM) which is a hard and more hydrophilic biobased monomer. It is observed that by increasing THFM content the incorporation of the hydrophobic monomers is facilitated. Among the different synthesized copolymers, OMA/THFM 87/13 wt% and TGM/THFM 41/59 wt% present good film forming properties, suitable mechanical properties and better water resistance than a petroleum-based methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate (MMA/BA) copolymer. • Hydrophobic biobased monomers are promising for waterborne coating applications. • These monomers have diffusion limitations in emulsion polymerization. • Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate facilitates incorporating hydrophobic monomers. • 40 % solids content copolymer latexes were produced with biobased contents >60 %. • Biobased copolymers show superior water resistance than oil-based copolymer.