African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (12), pp. 1432-1440, 18 June 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Development of amino resin for paint formulation: Copolymerization of methylol urea with polyester

Osemeahon, S. A. and Barminas, J. T.

Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Yola, P. M. B.  2076 Yola, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author E-mail: sundayosemeahon@yahoo.com. Tel: + 234 080 5347 9527.

Accepted 19 April, 2007

In our continuous efforts to develop a paint binder from amino resin, a low formaldehyde emission methyol urea-triethanolamine (MUT) composite was synthesized through in situ esterification of formaldehyde with triethanolamine (TEA) and subsequent copolymerization of the synthesized polyester with methylol urea. The effects of addition of TEA on the polymerization process on some physical properties of the synthesized copolymer were evaluated. The copolymer was characterized by IR spectroscopy and macro phase separation techniques. At a given TEA concentration, the composite exhibited macro phase separation behavior between that of pure methylol urea and pure polyester. The IR spectra show the presence of the polyester moiety in the composite. The values of moisture uptake, formaldehyde emission, melting point and elongation at break of the copolymer were within the acceptable levels required in the coating industry. Therefore, the methylol urea/polyester copolymer resin could be a potential candidate as a binder for the coating industry.

Key words: Methylol urea-triethanolamine copolymer, flexibility, formaldehyde emission, copolymerization, methylol urea, esterification, tensile properties.