Phenolic acids are sustainable, plant-derived chemicals found in a variety of natural sources such as fruits and vegetables. Phenolic acids are advantageous sources for polymers due to their aromatic rings, which provide mechanical strength, and the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, which provide routes to polymerization. In this study, crosslinked thiol-ene networks were derived from phenolic acids. Polymer films synthesized through thiol-ene chemistry are found in a variety of applications including adhesives, soft touch coatings for electronic devices, protective coatings on floors and wires, among others. Fundamental relationships between the molecular structure of the phenolic acids and the thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting polymer films have been developed. Such knowledge is an important first step toward the widespread implementation of biobased phenolic acids in thiol-ene polymer film applications.

Thiol-ene films derived from phenolic acids

249th National Meeting (2015)

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