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 1H 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 °C or even 175 °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.