Block Copolymer Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Derived from Fatty Acids and Triacetic Acid Lactone

A method for the development of ABA triblock copolymers for high-performance pressure-sensitive adhesives from the biorenewable chemicals lauryl acrylate and triacetic acid lactone (TAL) is presented. Lauryl acrylate, readily derived from vegetable oils, was polymerized via a reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer process to yield high-molecular-weight telechelic polymers. The synthesis of triblock copolymers was accomplished by subsequent chain extension with TAL, which is available from carbohydrates via the action of genetically modified yeast. The resulting triblock copolymers were found to exhibit excellent adhesion, with tunable peel forces up to 8 N cm–1 when a rosin ester-based tackifier was used. Tack forces up to 7 N cm–1 and no shear failure up to 100 h demonstrate the competitive performance of the potentially sustainable adhesives with commercial commodity products.