Biobased, Monomers for Low Odor, Low VOC Architectural Latex Paints

This project proposes the development of industrial agri-based oil monomers for the preparation of low odor, low VOC architectural latex coatings. The process for preparing acrylate and/or methacrylate monomers derived from castor oil and other industrial oils, such as soybean and linseed oils, involves an acrylate derivatization step. Monomers based on castor oil have been incorporated into latex polymers by emulsion polymerization to form latex polymers suitable for use in self-coalescing and self- crosslinking architectural latex paints. One interior, low VOC latex paint containing biobased monomers has been submitted to the Pentagon for qualification testing.Successful completion of the Phase II project would provide a source of non-toxic, bio-renewable monomers from a variety of oils, soybeans, linseed, dehydrated castor, etc., for markets previously dominated by unsaturated polyesters and alkyds that are now dominated by petroleum based latex products. Even more desirable, the industrial oil monomers have the potential of providing environmentally friendly paints for consumers and homeowners by utilizing the inherent ambient crosslinking attributes of naturally occurring unsaturated oils