Preparation, properties and potential applications of a photocurable varnish with pleasant limonene smell

Photocurable materials which are obtained on the basis of urethane acrylate resins are often used in the industry for the production varnishes or protective coatings. The main disadvantage which is connected with the utilization of these varnishes is their unpleasant smell during the process of production and curing. This work presents the photocurable varnish which was obtained on the basis of aliphatic urethane acrylate and R-(+)-limonene. The utilization of this raw materials allows to obtain the smelling coatings. The aim of this work were the studies on the influence of limonene molecules on the mechanical properties of the UV-cured coatings. These studies showed that the coatings with limonene molecules retain their properties, and are characterized by the very good adhesion, cohesion and high gloss. These kinds of varnishes can be applied for preparation of appropriate protective coatings on the surface of wood, metals, and nail plates. These protective coatings have not only pleasure smell but also can have the bactericidal and fungicidal properties. The studies performed with Escherichia coli ATCC29425 and Candida albicans confirmed these properties.