# Menthol-Based Hydrophobic Eutectic Solvents as Green Plasticizers for Biobased Acrylic Polymers

## TL;DR

This paper introduces menthol-based eutectic solvents as eco-friendly plasticizers for biobased acrylic polymers, offering a sustainable alternative to toxic VOCs.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in using menthol-based hydrophobic eutectic solvents as green, multifunctional plasticizers for biobased acrylic films.

## Key findings

- The plasticizer effect in biobased polymers can be controlled by the polarity and vapor pressure of eutectic components.
- Menthol-based HESs show potential for use in therapeutic patches due to their bioactive properties.
- The films were characterized for chemical structure, thermal, adhesive, and mechanical properties.

## Abstract

While the polymer
industry has gained importance in the last decades,
many related environmental issues have appeared, caused by oil-based
monomers, unsustainable polymerization processes, and toxic additives,
among others. For instance, plasticizers commonly used in acrylic
polymers often qualify as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), raising
concerns due to their contribution to indoor air pollution, regulatory
restrictions, and potential health risks. In this work, we explore
a series of menthol-based hydrophobic eutectic solvents (HESs) as
green alternatives to conventional organic plasticizers for acrylic
films based on biobased isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA), 2-octyl methacrylate
(2-OMA), and their copolymers synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization.
The biobased films were thoroughly characterized to assess their chemical
structure, thermal, adhesive, and mechanical properties and their
performance in a potential application as therapeutic patches, leveraging
the inherent bioactive properties, of the HESs. We have found that
the plasticizer effect on these biobased polymers could be controlled
by the polarity of the hydrogen bond donor and the vapor pressure
of the individual components in the eutectic mixture. These findings
highlight the potential of menthol-based HESs as multifunctional,
sustainable plasticizers, paving the way for environmentally friendly
alternatives in advanced acrylic materials.