Synthesis and characterization of tall oil fatty acids-based alkyd resins and alkyd–acrylate copolymers

The polymerization and properties of environmentally friendly waterborne binders for wood coatings were studied. Conjugated and non-conjugated tall oil fatty acids-based alkyd resins were synthesized and further copolymerized via miniemulsion polymerization with acrylates (butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate). The ratio between alkyd resin and acrylate monomers was varied and the effect on copolymerization and the copolymer binder properties, such as particle size, molecular weight, grafting of acrylate to alkyd resin and reaction of double bonds, were studied. It was observed that the use of MMA influenced on the degree of grafting of acrylate and monomer conversion because the steric hindrances prevent MMA to react with alkyd double bonds as eagerly as BA. The increasing amount of alkyd resin was noticed to decrease the polymerization rate. The research showed that it was possible to prepare stable hybrids, alkyd–acrylate copolymers, with varied chemical composition.