Eco-friendly sucrose and polyvinyl acetate-based polymeric systems

Abstract

This work is focused on the synthesis of aqueous polymeric dispersions based on polyvinyl acetate and sucrose formed by emulsion polymerization technique. These polymeric latexes can be used in the field of sustained release fertilizer encapsulation or as ecological paper glue with the subsequent biological disposal. The main objective of the work was to bond covalently sucrose into polyvinyl acetate ensuring the effective biodegradation of the respective polymer mainly in the soil environment. We have searched for an optimal ratio between the polymer and the simple sugar in the alkaline medium so that the resulting latex could exhibit good water solubility, sufficient bond strength, and the stability of atmospheric humidity. Using infrared spectroscopy, the process of binding sucrose into the polymer chain of vinyl acetate has been demonstrated.