Synthesis and Properties of a Photocurable Coating Based on Waste Cooking Oil

Abstract

In order to provide a cost-effective solution for photocurable coatings and introduce a novel approach for utilizing waste cooking oil (WCO), a type of photocurable resin based on WCO was synthesized. This WCO-based coating incorporated epoxy waste oil methacrylate (EWOMA) derived from WCO and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as a second monomer. It allowed for easy application and rapid curing when exposed to 405 nm purple light. The cured coating, with an optimized composition of EWOMA: HEMA = 4:1 in mass ratio, exhibited favorable mechanical properties (tensile strength: 9.3 MPa, elongation at break: 38.1%) and demonstrated good coating film performance. The coating film exhibited good adhesion (grade 2), high pencil hardness (2H), excellent impact strength (62 kg·cm−1) and low aldehyde content (0.34 μg·g−1). Moreover, it showcased excellent antismudge properties, with a low percentage of water-based ink residual (6.8%), which could be effortlessly and completely removed by wiping. Additionally, the WCO-based coating demonstrated impressive anticorrosive properties, as evidenced by the intact coating film on the tinplate that remained corrosion-free for over 20 days in brine. This cost-effective WCO-based coating offers a viable alternative to commercial photocurable coatings.