Photocuring behavior of low molecular weight biomass-derived methacrylate monomers for paper coatings

The quest for sustainable materials in industrial applications has led to the exploration of biobased monomers for photocurable resins. This study investigates the photopolymerization kinetics and application of eugenol and vanillyl alcohol-based resins for developing hydrophobic coatings on paper. Employing photo-DSC and FT-IR spectroscopy, we analyzed the reactivity and conversion of eugenyl methacrylate (EM) and vanillyl alcohol methacrylate (VAM), alongside their formulations with a hydrophobic additive (PDMS-ECEMS), under various temperatures. Our results reveal that vanillyl alcohol-based resins exhibit faster polymerization and higher conversion rates compared to eugenol-based resins, attributed to their structural differences. The incorporation of PDMS-ECEMS significantly improved the hydrophobicity of the coatings, achieving contact angles (106°) comparable to those of conventional hydrophobic paper coatings. Optimal polymerization occurred at ambient temperatures, with elevated temperatures leading to a faster initial curing rate, but lower overall conversion. This study highlights the potential of using eugenol and vanillyl alcohol-based resins as sustainable alternatives for hydrophobic paper coatings, offering insights into the optimization of photocurable resin formulations for coatings with promising barrier and release performance.