The incorporation of natural proteins as a renewable resource in the production of hybrid latexes has high interest in academia and industry, due to the opportunity to synthesize novel eco-friendly materials with special functionalities, improved properties, and biodegradable character. This article pursues the synthesis by miniemulsion polymerization of novel waterborne nanoparticles which adequately combine 3 main components: (i) a low T g acrylic copolymer that provides controllable mechanical properties; (ii) casein, an amphiphilic protein that allows polymer particle stabilization without employing an emulsifier, which means a challenge for producing stable polymer dispersions; and (iii) zein, a water repelling protein which balances the hydrophilic character of casein. The obtained emulsifier-free hybrid latexes present high compatibility among components, resulting in new materials with improved properties. Hybrid films formed exhibit enhanced water resistance when incorporating a very low fraction of zein (5% with respect to the total protein content) and a hydrophobic surface with a contact angle similar to the pure acrylic film (82°). The main characteristics of hybrid nanoparticles and relevant properties of obtained films are discussed here.

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The pursuit of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials has been powered by environmental concerns and the decline in oil reserves. Among the different routes toward this end, the replacement of oil-based materials by renewable materials stands out. In this way, protein based materials have gained interest. This review article summarizes the progress achieved in the synthesis of hybrid protein/synthetic polymer nanoparticles which have the potential to be used in industrial applications. Although technical achievements and efficacy proofs concerning the increased compatibility of polymer/protein are already available, practical implementation in industry still represents an additional challenge and should be the focus of interest in future research. The available literature supports the potential of hybrid protein/polymer nanoparticles in the production of ecofriendly alternatives for large scale applications as coatings, paints, adhesives and films.

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Increasing the content of bio-derived raw materials in polymeric products is imperative to follow the agenda of environmental protection and circular economy in the chemical industry. Therefore, it is highly...