Emulsion paints from wastes

Long description

Cellulose materials and their derivatives are in abundance in Nigeria and have vast industrial applications ranging from paper production, pharmaceutical formulations, environmental remediation, and paint production. Bamboo contains about 40–55% cellulose, majorly used as support in buildings and afterwards people use it as firewood which constitutes nuisance to the environment.  Bamboo, therefore, should be harnessed to give cellulose which can be modified for application as rheology modifier in paints. They are sustainable, biodegradable, available and renewable. The cellulose can also be converted to nanocrystalline celluloses which improves their properties as a result of high surface area to volume ratio, high crystallinity, low density, excellent mechanical strength and special morphology.

On the other hand, polyvinyl acetate and styrene acrylic polymers are used as binders in the paint, however, their prices have also gone up in recent times. Waste polymers are littered everywhere in our environment which blocks drainage systems and end up in rivers as microplastics. The utilization of the waste polymers such as the polyethylene terephthalate as binder in paints would not only contribute to reuse, industrial growth but will also clean up the environment of the different mess it has been subjected. This research work therefore is geared towards using waste polymers, cellulose derivatives and nanoparticles in paint formulation which highlights green material solutions, sustainable development policies and efficient environmental management.

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