COPOLYMERIZATION OF DIMETHYLOL UREA WITH HYDROXYLATED WATERMELON SEED OIL AS BINDER FOR EMULSION PAINT FORMULATION

Abstract

Watermelon Seed Oil was extracted, epoxidized and hydroxylated. Hydroxylated Watermelon Seed Oil (HWSO) was blended with Dimethylol Urea (DMU) in different ratio of 10 to 60% of hydroxylated oil, to develop DMU/HWSO copolymer binder for emulsion paint formulation. FT-IR analysis of copolymer resin (DMU/HWSO) showed chemical interaction between DMU and HWSO. Some physical properties of the copolymer resin such as viscosity, gel time, density, melting point, refractive index, moisture uptake, elongation at break and water solubility were determined. The results from studies indicate that viscosity, refractive index, gel time and elongation at break increases with increase in HWSO concentration in DMU/HWSO copolymer composite. However, density, melting point, water solubility and moisture uptake decreases with HWSO concentration in the composite. The results of the physic-chemical properties point to the fact that the traditional problems associated with DMU (formaldehyde emission, hardness and poor water resistance) can be addressed or reduced by DMU/HWSO blend.