Acrylic Nanocomposites Modified by Biobased Itaconates: Mechanical Properties, Oil Resistance, and Heat Resistance

Poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methoxyethyl acrylate-co-dialkyl itaconate-co-vinyl chloroacetate)s (PEMDAVs) were synthesized by redox initiated emulsion polymerization of ethyl acrylate, methoxyethyl acrylate, vinyl chloroacetate, and biobased dialkyl itaconate as a modified monomer. The molecular weight of the synthesized PEMDAVs was in the range of 337 000 and 346 000 g/mol, which was higher than that of the unmodified polymer PEMV. The structure and thermal performance of PEMV and PEMDAVs was determined by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Carbon black (CB) was used as a filler to enhance the PEMV and PEMDAVs. Mechanical properties of PEMDAVs/ CB nanocomposites got improved compared with PEMV/CB nanocomposite. In addition, we analyzed the effect of biobased monomer itaconate with different side chain length on the mechanical properties and oil resistance. It is worth noting that PEMDMV/CB with dimethyl itaconate content exhibited great heat oil resistance in ASTM #3 oil at 150 degrees C or even 175 degrees C. This work is expected to not only prepare excellent mechanical properties and oil-resistance elastomers but also provide some guidelines for the modified traditional rubber with biobased monomers.