Efficient incorporation of protein into waterborne hybrid acrylic based nanoparticles

Abstract

The use of raw materials from natural sources as substitutes for petrochemical monomers is of high interest in the polymer science, to comply with the increasing social awareness of pollution and environmental regulations. Natural proteins emerge as particularly promising candidates to be combine with synthetic polymers, offering the prospect of enhancing the product sustainability. Nonetheless, protein-based hybrid materials still present some drawbacks such as high susceptibility to water, due to the incorporation of hydrophilic protein and the resulting morphology of hybrid particles. In the present study, we propose a novel approach for synthesizing biphasic hybrid particles with a controlled morphology that tend to optimize the synergy between both phases. Here, protein phase forms the core of hybrid particles, which is surrounded by an acrylic polymer phase. To achieve this particular morphology, a seeded semibatch emulsion polymerization strategy was designed by employing preformed zein-casein bioparticles (BPs) as seed. This paper encompassed a comprehensive exploration of the key variables impacting on both the synthesis of BPs and the subsequent formation of hybrid latex particles. The outcomes of this research not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the synthesis process but also broaden the potential applications of acrylic-protein hybrid films, particularly as coatings.