Development of Catalyst-Free Self-Healing Biobased UV-Curable Coatings via Maleate Monoester Transesterification

Developing environmentally friendly UV-curable polymers with multi-functionality is very significant for sustainable development and environmental protection. In this work, a novel tung-oil-based oligomer (TOMAH) was synthesized by Diels–Alder ring-opening reactions via microwave technology. Subsequently, catalyst-free self-healing materials based on maleate monoester transesterification (MMETER) were developed co-photopolymerization of TOMAH hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The obtained UV-cured possessed high glass transition temperature (Tg > 81 °C), excellent adhesion (grade 1), flexibility (2 mm). Particularly, the outstanding photopolymerization activity resins proved UV-curing kinetics. addition, dynamic transesterifications occurred without an external catalyst at moderate temperature, resulting in good properties (with scratch-repair efficiency 78.6–93.3%) shape-memory materials. This work combines multiple advantages biomass raw material, synthesis technology, method, multifunctional polymers, thus providing innovative strategy to fabricate intelligent coatings.