Optimization of the protein bioparticles synthesis for producing hybrid polymeric materials

ALLASIA, MARIANA; MANSILLA, AGUSTÍN; RONCO, LUDMILA I.; MINARI, ROQUE J.; GUGLIOTTA, LUIS M.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; 11th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (WCCE11); 2023

Asociación Argentina de Ingenieros Químicos (AAIQ)

In recent years, the increasing environmental regulations have forced to polymer industry for searching new strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of their products. In this context, the complete or partial replacement of petroleum-derived monomers by raw materials from natural sources (such as biopolymers, proteins, or bioderived monomers) has been widely investigated. Specifically, proteins are very attractive for a wide variety of applications (coatings, adhesives, inks, tissue engineering, cosmetics), due to their high functionality, biodegradability, and amphiphilic properties, among other advantages.This work presents the synthesis optimization of zein/casein bioparticles (BPs), and their subsequent use as seed in an emulsion polymerization of BA/MMA, with the aim of obtaining acrylic/protein hybrid nanoparticles. The BPs were obtained by the antisolvent precipitation technique from two native proteins, zein (Zn) and casein (Cas), applying different mass ratios (Zn/Cas 1/1 to 1/0.4). Optimization of the BP synthesis was based on the yield (mass of BPs obtained/mass of initially loaded protein) and dispersions stability over time. Subsequently, the aqueous dispersion of BPs was used as initial seeding in a semi-batch polymerization (with a monomers feed rate of 0.04 g/min).The maximum yield (97%) was obtained when the ratio Zn/Cas was equal to 1/1, with a zeta potential of -45 mV and a mean size of 240 nm. Polymerizations were carried out at high acrylic monomers conversion, and the hybrid particles presented an average size between 350 and 500 nm. All hybrid latexes were able to form films at room temperature, with good mechanical properties and pH sensitivity, giving to the hybrid material a possible application as coatings.