Advances in self-crosslinking of acrylic emulsion: what we know and what we would like to know

This review covers various strategies that enable self-crosslinking of acrylic emulsion, and gives a detailed idea of different one component (1K) crosslinking systems along with their reaction mechanisms, film properties and applications. The review is categorized into four main parts: (i) self-condensation of N-methylol functionality (ii) reaction of keto-hydrazide or acetoacetoxy-diamine functional group (iii) self-condensation of organofunctional silanes (iv) metal complex (salts, chelates) reaction with backbone functional group such as acetoacetoxy group or carboxylic group (v) UV curable functional monomers. These crosslinking reactions are low-temperature curable and offers excellent film properties than the conventional two-pack (2K) cross-linking emulsion system. This crosslinking system has good potential application in water-based coatings. Various examples are portrayed, along with a discussion of their advantages, drawbacks and limitations.