Preparation and characterization of acrylic resin/protein composite crosslinked films

A series of ambient self-crosslinkable acrylic resin/protein composite emulsions (PA–Ps) were prepared by copolymerizing the functional monomer acetyl acetylethyl methacrylate (AAEM) with methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid, and then protein crosslinking agents such as gelatin and casein were also added. The PA–P films were characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, contact angles, differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis, antisolvent testing and physicomechanical testing. Influences of AAEM and protein dosages on properties of composite films were examined in detail. The results indicate that influences of AAEM and protein on PA–P films are diverse on solvent resistance, physicomechanical properties and thermal properties. With enhancement of AAEM and protein dosages, hardness, solvent resistance to tetrahydrofuran and glass transition temperature (T _g) of PA–P films are markedly enhanced, but the decomposing temperatures (T _d) are decreased. Tensile strengths are evidently reinforced while elongations at break are lessened. Suitable AAEM and protein dosages could render PA–P films with good water resistance.