Functionalising 100% bio-based 1,3-propanediol into reactive diluents for resins

 
Using 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) as a building block in high performance coatings allows downstream coatings producers to enter the high-end market with products that combine performance with a higher sustainable profile compared to corresponding fossil-based coatings. From sustainability point of view using 100% bio-based and renewable 1,3-PDO might be a good opportunity for many resin and coatings producers to full-fill their sustainability goals. Since 1,3-PDO is end-functionalized, the possibility arises to use it as an effective building block in many polymeric applications. Besides classic polyether (PO3G) and polyesters between 1,3-PDO and any bio-based diacid, facilitating formation of well performed PU and polyester coating; the 1,3-PDO can be functionalized further with acrylates, dimethacrylates and diglycidylether. The end functionalized 1,3-PDO can be transformed into 1,3-PDO diacrylate, 1,3-PDO dimethacrylate and 1,3-PDO-diglycidylether. The diacrylates and the di-methacrylates can be carried out as reactive diluent for any UV-cured high end coating, including inks, while the di-functionalized 1,3-PDO diglycidylether can be carried out as an reactive diluent in epoxy applications for both coatings and composites. As an alternative or a complement to fossil-based 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) and/or 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PDO) and/or 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDO), the 1,3-PDO will provide new and alternative properties for the coating to be defined, on top of the sustainability benefits that 1,3-PDO brings into the coatings. In this study we have functionalized our 1,3-PDO with acrylates, methacrylates and glycidylether. A benchmark study has been carried out in a classic coating recipe. Functionalized 1,3-PDO has been compared with functionalized 1,4-BDO and 1,6-HDO. Classic performance parameters have been thoroughly tested and the performance of the coatings based on the 1,3-PDO showcase promising technical performance attributes besides all the benefits in sustainability.