Cross-linking of polyesters based on fatty acids

TL;DR

This study develops bio-based elastomers from cross-linked estolides derived from fatty acids, demonstrating promising thermal stability and mechanical properties suitable for sustainable material applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel one-pot synthesis of bio-based estolides and their cross-linking into elastomers with tunable properties, expanding sustainable polymer options.

Findings

High thermal stability (T5% = 205-318°C)

Low glass transition temperature (-69 to -54°C)

Good tensile strength (0.11-0.40 MPa)

Abstract

This paper aimed at obtaining cross-linked polymeric materials of biomass origin. For this purpose one-pot polyesterification of methyl ricinoleate and methyl 12-hydroxystearate using titanium isopropoxide as a catalyst has been performed leading to polyesters known as estolides. The obtained estolides were successfully cross-linked using dicumyl peroxide or a sulfur vulcanization system. The so-formed bio-based elastomers appeared to exhibit promising properties. The latter were analyzed by mechanical tensile tests and thermal techniques (TGA, DSC, DMA) and showed high thermal stability (T5% = 205-318 {\textdegree}C) and tailored physico-mechanical properties (low glass transition temperature in the range from-2 69 to-54 {\textdegree}C) and good tensile strength (0.11-0.40 MPa). Networks prepared from high molecular weight estolides appear to be promising bio-based elastomers. Practical applications : The vegetable oil-based estolides described in this contribution, are new fully bio-based precursors for further elastomers synthesis. The resulting estolide networks (obtained by peroxide or sulfur cross-linking) exhibit tailored thermo-mechanical properties.