A solventless synthesis process of new UV-curable materials based on linseed oil

A new synthesis process of polymer materials based on vegetable oil has been developed. First, linseed oil was thermally polymerized in bulk at 300 degrees C under an inert atmosphere. Next, the obtained stand oil was functionalized in a two-step one-shot process without solvent in order to graft on some photopolymerizable groups. The first step consisted of a bulk reaction with maleic anhydride at 220 degrees C under an inert atmosphere. The grafted anhydride groups were then used in the second step as an anchor for grafting 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate at room temperature. Finally, the materials were prepared by UV-curing of the modified linseed oil and then characterized. The obtained materials are flexible, hydrophobic and not biodegradable, and may have potential applications in flexible coatings.