Optimized synthesis and properties of surfactant-free water-reducible acrylate-alkyd resin emulsion

In this work, a modified alkyd resin (basic alkyd resin) was synthesized using maleic anhydride (MAH) to replace part of phthalic anhydride (PA) to achieve the target product acrylate-grafted-alkyd hybrid resin. The resin was then dispersed in water to form water-reducible emulsion. The properties were examined, including the extent of neutralization of final emulsion, ratio of MAH/PA in basic alkyd resin, mole ratio of basic alkyd resin to modified vinyl monomers, mole ratio of vinyl monomers (MMA/St/AA) on water dispersion stability of emulsion, particle size, drying time and mechanical properties. The optimal synthesis conditions produced a final emulsion particle size of 81.1 nm with good storage stability, hydrolytic stability and shorter drying time. The optimized synthesis conditions were identified as 80% neutralization, 1:0.8 mole ratio of basic alkyd resin to modified monomers, 4:3:2 modified monomers MMA/St/AA and 0.18 mole ratio of MAH/PA.