P10
Synthesis of Thermosetting Green Resins Based on Alkene-Containing Plant Oils
Brinda Mehta, Paula Watt and Coleen Pugh
Department of Polymer Science
University of Akron
Akron, Ohio 44325-3909
The concerns of dwindling fossil resources and global warming are prompting chemical industries and researchers to investigate approaches for replacing the expensive and exhausting petroleum-based synthetic resins with less expensive resins that are bio-based, derived from natural resources, and without major chemical modification. Conversion of bio-based materials to useful polymers or composites is in line with the principles of the popular concept of sustainability. Plant oils are one of the most explored sustainable bio-based materials that has great potential for replacing petroleum. For example, Goodyear is testing soy oil as an alternative to petroleum in tires, Ford Motor Co. uses soy-based foam in some of its car seats, and PolyOne sells soy-based plasticizers. Plant oils are composed of triglycerides made of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids combined at a glycerol junction. They are being studied by researchers as an alternative to petro-based resins widely used today such as polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxies and urethanes that consist of chemicals with major health and environmental concerns, such as styrene and bisphenol A. There are four reactive positions on triglycerides that can act as starting points for different chemistries: ester groups, unsaturated C=C double bonds, α-positions of ester groups, and allylic positions. The thermal and mechanical properties of the bio-based thermosetting polymers obtained reveal their potential for applications in fields such as elastomers and composites. Therefore, purpose of this research is to report the invention of high-bio content and low toxicity resins derived from functionalized plant oils that can be easily commercialized.