Green Synthesis of Biobased NIPUrea-Acrylate Hybrids for Versatile, Fast-Curing Hot-Melt Coating Development.
Enzo Pichon1, Alexander Fordham1, Andrij Pich1,2
1Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Urmonderbaan 22, Geleen 6167 RD, The Netherlands.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|December 12, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a greener method for creating high-performance, nonisocyanate polyurea (NIPUrea) coatings. These advanced NIPUrea-acrylate hybrids offer exceptional durability and fast curing without toxic chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Coatings
Background:
- Traditional polyureas rely on toxic diisocyanates and petro-based materials, leading to solvent-based coatings with volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
- Existing nonisocyanate polyurea (NIPUrea) resins, while biobased, exhibit slower curing kinetics, necessitating hybrid approaches.
- Current methods for functionalizing polyureas with acrylates often involve hazardous reagents, posing safety and environmental concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a safer and more sustainable synthesis route for partially biobased NIPUrea-acrylate hybrid coatings.
- To create VOC-free hot-melt coating formulations with rapid curing capabilities and high performance.
- To reduce the toxicity associated with polyurea coating production and application.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized partially biobased NIPUrea with controlled primary amine end-groups via melt polycondensation.
- Functionalized NIPUrea end-groups using a non-toxic diacrylate via the aza-Michael reaction at room temperature.
- Formulated VOC-free hot-melt coatings using NIPUrea-acrylate hybrids and biobased isobornyl acrylate, followed by radiation curing (max 30 s).
Main Results:
- Achieved highly efficient functionalization using a greener aza-Michael reaction, avoiding hazardous chemicals.
- Developed radiation-curable, VOC-free hot-melt formulations with rapid curing times (≤30 s) and high gel content (>96%).
- Produced coatings exhibiting exceptional performance: >200 double-rub resistance (water, MEK), 6H+ scratch hardness, and 5B adhesion on glass and wood.
Conclusions:
- This work presents a significantly greener approach to synthesizing fast-curing NIPUrea coating formulations.
- The developed method substantially reduces product toxicity and eliminates VOC emissions during application.
- The resulting NIPUrea-acrylate hybrid coatings demonstrate high performance, suitable for demanding applications.
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