Study of MgO-Incorporated Acrylic Emulsion-Based Coating for Antimicrobial Application

Abstract

In this study, acrylic emulsion was made using the emulsion polymerization technique with butyl acrylate (BA) and methyl meth acrylate (MMA) monomers. MMA provides rigidity and durability, while BA imparts flexibility to the polymer. To enhance its antibacterial capabilities, the acrylic emulsion was polymerized in-situ using 1.5% (relative to the monomers) magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. In-situ polymerization helps in the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix, enhancing the properties of the final product. The synthesised acrylic emulsion was evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine its structural characteristics, an E. coli test to determine its antibacterial qualities and a Brookfield viscometer to determine its viscosity. The prepared acrylic emulsions were applied as a coating on mild steel (MS) panels and tested for its adherence, gloss, drying time, and flexibility. The study demonstrates that MgO nanoparticles can effectively enhance the antimicrobial properties of acrylic emulsions without compromising other essential coating properties like gloss, adhesion, and flexibility, making them suitable for protective coatings in various applications.