Waterborne Acrylic/Casein Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Film Properties

PICCHIO, M.L.; MINARI, R.J.; VEGA, J.R.; BARANDIARAN, M.J.; GUGLIOTTA, L.M.

Florianópolis

Congreso; 12 Congreso Brasileiro de Polímeros; 2013

Hybrid nanoparticles containing natural proteins have technological interest because they attempt to achieve improved properties by chemically linking both natural and synthetic components. In this work, the batch polymerization of methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate in the presence of varied concentration of casein and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as initiator was investigated. Polymerization kinetics and molecular microstructure of the casein-acrylic nanoparticles, as well as morphological, optical, mechanical, and adhesive properties of the film obtained from the hybrid latexes were investigated. Compatibilized waterborne acrylic/casein nanocomposites were successfully synthesized with improved film properties.