Bio-Sourced Acrylic Copolymer Composition for Clear Adhesive Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current (meth)acrylic copolymers rely heavily on petroleum-based raw materials, lacking sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives that maintain good optical and mechanical properties suitable for adhesives and coatings, particularly in electronic and touch screen applications.
Innovation Solution
A copolymer is developed using a monomer mixture comprising bio-sourced 2-octyl (meth)acrylate, 2-methylbutyl acrylate, 3-methylbutyl acrylate, and isobornyl (meth)acrylate, with optional carboxyl-functional and other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, optimized for high Bio Renewable Carbon Content and tailored properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If petroleum-based monomers (e.g., 2-ethylhexyl acrylate) are used to prepare (meth)acrylic copolymers, then good mechanical properties and processability are achieved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to reliance on non-renewable resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing petroleum-based monomers with bio-sourced alternatives. Specifically, it uses bio-based 2-octyl (meth)acrylate, 2-methylbutyl acrylate, 3-methylbutyl acrylate, and isobornyl (meth)acrylate to substitute traditional petroleum-derived monomers like 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, thereby improving environmental sustainability while maintaining mechanical properties through careful selection of bio-based monomer combinations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite monomer system combining multiple bio-sourced monomers with specific functional characteristics. By blending bio-based monomers with different glass transition temperatures and molecular structures (e.g., flexible chains from 2-octyl (meth)acrylate and rigid structures from isobornyl (meth)acrylate), the invention achieves both environmental sustainability and reliable mechanical performance in the resulting copolymers
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-sourced monomers are used to replace petroleum-based raw materials, then environmental sustainability is improved, but optical properties (transparency and haze) and mechanical properties (peeling strength, holding power, aging stability) deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific functional roles to different bio-sourced monomers within the copolymer system. For example, 2-octyl (meth)acrylate and 2-methylbutyl acrylate provide flexibility and low Tg regions that enhance adhesion and toughness, while isobornyl (meth)acrylate contributes rigid segments that improve optical clarity, peeling strength, and aging stability. This localized functional distribution within the polymer chain allows each monomer to optimize specific properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining multiple bio-sourced monomers with complementary properties in specific ratios. The synergistic interaction between flexible chain monomers (2-octyl (meth)acrylate, 2-methylbutyl acrylate, 3-methylbutyl acrylate) and rigid cyclic monomers (isobornyl (meth)acrylate) creates a copolymer system that simultaneously achieves excellent optical transparency, mechanical strength, and environmental sustainability that cannot be obtained with single monomers
3Strength
If a high proportion of flexible monomers (e.g., 2-octyl (meth)acrylate) is used to achieve low glass transition temperature and good adhesion, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but structural rigidity and optical clarity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the copolymer structure by combining monomers with vastly different molecular geometries. The flexible linear chains of 2-octyl (meth)acrylate and 2-methylbutyl acrylate are paired with the rigid bicyclic structure of isobornyl (meth)acrylate. This asymmetric structural combination allows the polymer to exhibit both flexibility from the linear segments and rigidity from the cyclic segments, achieving a balance between adhesion and optical clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters by controlling the weight ratio of flexible monomers to rigid monomers. By adjusting the proportion of 2-octyl (meth)acrylate (which provides flexibility and low Tg) relative to isobornyl (meth)acrylate (which provides rigidity and optical clarity), the invention fine-tunes the copolymer's glass transition temperature, mechanical properties, and optical characteristics to meet specific application requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The copolymer achieves superior mechanical and optical performance, minimizing environmental impact while being suitable for sustainable adhesives and coatings with high transparency and low haze, suitable for electronic and touch screen applications.
Implementation Method 1
The copolymer of the present invention is obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising, based on the total weight of the monomer mixture
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to copolymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising: (a) at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of 2-octyl (meth)acrylate, 2-methylbutyl acrylate and 3-methylbutylacrylate; (b) isobornyl (meth)acrylate: (c) optionally at least one carboxyl-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and (d) optionally at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer other than (a), (b) and (c). A composition comprising the copolymer and its uses in adhesives and coatings are also provided.