Miniemulsion polymerization of acrylated methyl oleate for pressure sensitive adhesives

The focus of this work was to improve the aqueous emulsion polymerization of a highly water-insoluble monomer derived from plant oil, acrylated methyl oleate. Conventional emulsion polymerization requires excessive amounts of surfactant and long reaction time. Miniemulsion polymerization improved the polymerization significantly. Only a fraction of the surfactant and reaction time that was necessary in the conventional emulsion polymerization is required. The resulting polymers have properties comparable to petroleum-based polymers commonly used in pressure sensitive adhesive applications. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.