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Solvent-free bio-based PSAs from linseed oil: high performance and biocompatibility
Researchers develop pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) from acrylated epoxidised linseed oil using a fully solvent-free process. With high renewable content, strong adhesion and biocompatibility, the materials present a sustainable alternative for medical and packaging applications.
The study reports a solvent-free synthesis route for bio-based pressure-sensitive adhesives. Epoxidised linseed oil is modified through acrylic acid ring-opening to produce acrylated epoxidised linseed oil (AELO), containing approximately 62.3 % biomass and 84 % renewable content. AELO is copolymerised with methyl methacrylate (MMA) at various molar ratios to obtain PSAs with tunable properties.
Chemical analyses confirm successful polymerisation. The resulting PSAs show single glass transition temperatures from – 44 to – 23 °C, meeting requirements for commercial PSA performance. The storage modulus values meet the Dahlquist criterion, and the viscoelastic behaviour places the materials in the “removable PSA” category.
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Strong adhesion, biocompatibility and biodegradability
The 1:1 AELO:MMA formulation delivered the highest peel strength at 3.58 N/in. and tack force at 5.05 N, while a 1:3 ratio achieved a maximum static shear strength of 711 min. Both exceeded the performance of standard medical tapes and food label adhesives.
Sustainability characteristics were equally promising: the 1:1 PSA contained 58.1 % biomass, maintained over 90 % HaCaT cell viability at 100 mg/ml, showed enhanced antimicrobial activity with a 7 mm inhibition zone against E. coli, and demonstrated 41 % weight loss in 15 days, indicating strong biodegradability.
The research demonstrates that AELO-based PSAs offer a viable, sustainable alternative to petrochemical PSAs, with potential for use in food packaging, pharmaceuticals and medical products.
Source: Singh, M. et al., High performing biocompatible solvent-free pressure-sensitive adhesives derived from acrylated epoxidized linseed oil. Progress in Organic Coatings 207, 109383 (2025).
