Investigation on the preparation of a highly water-resistant emulsion coating for paper-based packaging materials

Abstract

To enhance the water resistance of paper-based packaging materials, an emulsion coating with high water resistance properties has been developed for application to these materials. This coating was synthesized using isooctyl acrylate, lauryl methacrylate, styrene, and methacrylic acid as reactive monomers, organosilicone KH151 as a coupling agent, heptadecanol polyoxyethylene ether monophosphate as the emulsifier, and glycerol triglycidyl ether as a post-crosslinking agent. Through a seed emulsion polymerization process, a water-based organosilicone-modified styrene-acrylic emulsion was expertly crafted. After being spread onto a substrate paper and subsequently dried, the highly water-resistant emulsion coating was obtained. The results showed a remarkable decrease in water absorption from 89.23 to 3.15 g/m² at a coating weight of 3.01 gsm on the substrate paper, and no water seepage was observed on the reverse side of the paper for 20 min, demonstrating the highly water-resistant properties of the coating. Moreover, this coating also possesses the advantages of antiadhesion and endurance at temperatures below 360.3 °C. The coating emulsion has no acute toxicity risks at the tested concentration of 100 mg/L, suggesting its safety for application in paper-based packaging materials.