Abstract
The present study reports the synthesis and characterization of waterborne interpenetrating network (IPN) of epoxy-acrylic-oleic acid (EpAcO) with butylated melamine formaldehyde (BMF). The effect of BMF on the formation of IPN was investigated in terms of physicochemical, spectral, morphological, and thermal analyses. The coating properties of the IPN were investigated for their physicomechanical, corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial activity. The formation of the IPN was confirmed by FTIR and H-1 NMR analyses as well as physicochemical properties. The EpAcO-BMF IPN coatings were found to exhibit far superior corrosion resistance performance and good thermal stability when compared with the reported waterborne epoxy acrylic-melamine formaldehyde systems [EpAcO-BMF]. The preliminary antimicrobial investigations of the IPNs were carried Out by agar diffusion method against some bacteria and fungi. The results revealed that antimicrobial activities were enhanced upon the formation of IPN. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 827-838, 2009