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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #313324
Title: A self-crosslinking thermosetting monomer with both epoxy and anhydride groups derived from Tung oil fatty acids: Synthesis and properties

Author
item HUANG, KUN - Chinese Academy Of Forestry
item Liu, Zengshe - Kevin
item ZHANG, JINWEN - Washington State University
item LI, SHOUHAI - Chinese Academy Of Forestry
item LI, MEI - Chinese Academy Of Forestry
item XIA, JIANLING - Chinese Academy Of Forestry
item ZHOU, YONGHONG - Chinese Academy Of Forestry

Submitted to: European Polymer Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/23/2015
Publication Date: 6/24/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62236
Citation: Huang, K., Liu, Z., Zhang, J., Li, S., Li, M., Xia, J., Zhou, Y. 2015. A self-crosslinking thermosetting monomer with both epoxy and anhydride groups derived from Tung oil fatty acids: Synthesis and properties. European Polymer Journal. 70:45-54.

Interpretive Summary: In this research, we discovered that a self-crosslinking compound synthesized from Tung oil fatty acid has very good storage stability and could be cured by itself with trace amounts of catalyst. This advantage avoided the nonuniformity, bubbles, and insolubility during the mixing procedure of the epoxy resins and curing agents. Its renewable property is very promising.

Technical Abstract: A self-crosslinking compound with epoxy groups and anhydride groups (GEMA) has been successfully synthesized from Tung oil fatty acid by reacting with maleic anhydride via the Diels-Alder reaction. GEMA has very good storage stability and can be cured with trace amounts of tertiary amine. This advantage avoided the non-uniformity, bubbles, and insolubility during the mixing procedure of the epoxy resins and curing agents. Compared to commercial Bisphenol A epoxy resins, GEMA has relatively lower mechanical properties and thermal properties. However, in view of its renewable properties, GEMA still is a very promising bio-based epoxy which may replace Bisphenol A epoxy resins in some applications.