Until now, if you wanted a cross-linked structure, you had to use multifunctional monomers or chemical post-treatments. In a systematic study, the researchers tested ten commercially available acrylate monomers with three different photoinitiator systems. Particularly pronounced cross-linking effects were observed with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate (HBA) and MEEEA. Reading tip: Bio-based coatingsThe EC Tech Report “Bio-based Coatings” is a hand-picked compilation of all the key aspects concerning bio-based coatings, offering the latest technical developments. Thermodynamically favourable reactions enable stable networksUsing quantum chemical calculations, the authors were able to prove that particularly stable hydrogen transfers take place in these three acrylates.