Polyurethane–acrylate with improved water resistance
Researchers report on a waterborne polyurethane–acrylate containing methyl methacrylate with simultaneously improved water resistance and mechanical properties.
Traditional waterborne polyurethane (WPU) has poor water resistance because of the incorporation of permanent hydrophilic groups, such as carboxyl group or ammonium salt, into polymer chains. Therefore, developing WPU with excellent water resistance and mechanical properties is highly desirable for industrial applications. In a new study, CO2-triggered hydrophobic/hydrophilic switchable waterborne polyurethane–acrylate (WPUA) containing methyl methacrylate (MMA) units were designed and synthesised.
Excellent water resistance
A WPUA with 10 wt% MMA exhibited a low water uptake (2.15 wt%) as well as a high tensile strength (16.7 MPa), which was much higher than those of the pristine WPU. This study indicated that the CO2-triggered WPUA dispersed stably as latex particles in water and possessed excellent water resistance and mechanical properties after the film formation.
The study has been published in Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 18, Issue 4, July 2021.
