Glycerol-Based Pressure Sensitive Adhesives: Synthesis and Applications

Block copolymers derived from glycerol, a cost-effective and plentiful resource, have demonstrated significant potential for pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) applications. This study focuses on functionalizing two monomers, acrylated glycerol and solketal acrylate, derived from glycerol, to synthesize two (meth)acrylate-based block copolymers, poly(methyl methacrylate-block-acrylated glycerol) (MMAAG) and poly(isobornyl acrylate-block-solketal acrylate-block-isobornyl acrylate) (IBASA), using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. These elastomers, notable for their intrinsic tackiness, are formulated with plasticizers to achieve the desired PSA properties. We investigate their viscoelastic and morphological properties using dynamic shear rheology and small-angle X-ray scattering, respectively. The PSA performance is evaluated through 180° peel testing under various conditions including different adherends, humidity levels, and peel rates. Our findings reveal that a benzoate ester-plasticized IBASA block copolymer, with a molecular weight of 100 kDa and containing 20 wt % IBA, exhibits peel performance on par with 3M Scotch Magic Tape. These results underscore the potential of glycerol-based PSAs as sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based adhesives.