SBIR Phase I: Bio-Based Latex by Emulsion Polymerization of Alkyl Itaconates

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将研究以烷基衣康酸酯为原料开发用于木器涂料的高性能生物基乳液。衣康酸及其衍生物在2004年被能源部确定为排名前12位的可再生化学品，在各种产品中具有潜在的用途，从洗涤剂的助剂到油漆和涂料的粘合剂。Itakonix已经成功地利用其正在申请专利的绿色乳液聚合工艺生产了稳定的烷基乳酸盐生物基乳液。这些乳液目前的性能不足以克服市场惯性，有利于成熟的石油基乳液。这项研究将结合一种新的基于模型的方法和伊塔康尼克斯？S现有的聚合物专业知识，以(A)确定提高内聚力和粘合力所需的关键合成参数，(B)将水塑化效应降至最低。控制这些参数的关键是优化结构乳胶粒的形态。目标是创建核-壳型几何结构，其中硬核起到疏水增强结构域的作用，而软壳提供成膜性能。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是市场接受和使用优化的烷基乳胶，这种乳胶在某些木器涂料中提供比当前乳胶更高的性价比。有了这一商业突破，我们将打开潜力，发展有利的生物精炼经济，并利用高效的乳胶生产技术，使生物乳胶得到更广泛的使用。虽然生物基化学品迅速吸引了客户的兴趣，并产生了应用测试，但它们的价格很少会比石油基化学品略有溢价。为了在商业上取得成功并减少我们对石油的依赖，生物基乳液需要提供令人信服的性价比优势。目前的涂料和涂料制造商面临着与石油单体和乳液的价格差异很大的问题，通常需要昂贵的产品重新配方和调整。生物材料的一个长期预期优势是更稳定的来源和配方。我们的研究有望初步获得市场认可，并用于优化的烷基乳胶，在某些木器涂料中提供比现有乳胶更高的性价比。有了这一商业突破，我们将打开潜力，发展有利的生物精炼经济，并利用高效的乳胶生产技术，使生物乳胶得到更广泛的使用。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will investigate the development of performance bio-based latex from alkyl itaconates for application in wood coatings. Identified by DOE in 2004 as a top 12 renewable chemical, itaconic acid and its derivatives have potential use in polymers for a variety of products from builders in detergents to binders in paints and coatings. Itaconix has successfully produced stable alkylitaconate bio-based latexes using its patent-pending green emulsion polymerization process. The current performance of these latexes is not sufficient to overcome marketplace inertia favoring the well-established petroleum-based latexes.This research will combine a new model-based approach and Itaconix?s existing polymer expertise to (a) identify the key synthesis parameters necessary to enhance cohesion and adhesion and (b) minimize hydroplastization effects. The key to controlling these parameters is to optimize the morphology of the structured latex particles. The goal is to create core-shell type geometries where a hard core acts like a hydrophobic reinforcement domain and the soft shell provides film-forming properties. The Broader Impact/commercial potential of this project will be market acceptance and use for optimized alkylitaconate latexes that offer superior price/performance over current latexes in certain wood coatings. With this commercial breakthrough, we will open the potential for developing favorable bio-refining economics and leveraging efficient latex production technologies that will enable broader use of bio-latexes. While bio-based chemicals rapidly capture the interest of customers and generate application testing, they rarely command more than a slight price premium over petroleum-based chemicals. To succeed commercially and reduce our dependence on petroleum, bio-based latexes need to offer compelling price/performance advantages.Current paint and coatings manufacturers face wide price variations from petroleum-based monomers and latexes, often requiring costly product reformulations and adjustments. A long-term expected advantage from bio-based materials is more stable sourcing and formulations. Our research is expected to generate initial market acceptance and use for optimized alkylitaconate latexes that offer superior price/performance over current latexes in certain wood coatings. With this commercial breakthrough, we will open the potential for developing favorable bio-refining economics and leveraging efficient latex production technologies that will enable broader use of bio-latexes.