Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(butyl acrylate-co-farnesene) by Emulsion Polymerization Technique for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Abstract

The development of new sustainable materials has been growing in the last few years, especially polymers derived from renewable monomers to replace petroleum-derived monomers in adhesive applications. In this context, copolymerization of β-Farnesene (Far) with n-butyl acrylate (BA) using different ratios of BA and Far (100/0, 80/20, and 50/50 wt/wt) is investigated by semi-bath emulsion polymerization for use in pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA). Latexes with different BA and Far contents are obtained with good colloidal stability and a hydrodynamic diameter range of 120–140 nm. The copolymerization between Far and BA is confirmed by FT-IR and DSC analyses. As the Far content increases, both overall conversion, elongation at break, and loop tack decrease. On the other hand, the lass transition temperature (T_g), gel content, and shear strength increase. The glass transition temperature of copolymers is higher than the theoretical T_g values and is dependent on the Far contents. The use of Far provides additional insights for the production of bio-based PSAs by emulsion polymerization, which is characterized by an increase in both shear strength and cohesion. Among the proportions of BA/Far studied, the most promising results for application in PSA tapes are 80 wt% of BA and 20 wt% of Far.