Surfactant‐Free Miniemulsion Polymerization of a Bio‐Based Oleic Acid Derivative Monomer

Surfactant-free bio-based latexes are synthesized by generating miniemulsions via in situ surfactant formation while using as a precursor a component that is already available after the synthesis of the monomer. In this work, the oleic acid (OA) remaining after the synthesis of the OA derivative 2-hydroxy-3-(methacryloxy)propyl oleate (MOA) monomer is used to generate in situ surfactants. The conditions to achieve stable miniemulsions are evaluated and the resultant systems are successfully polymerized. These environmentally friendly polymeric materials provide transparent and glossy films.