Vinyl ester resins (VERs) are used to create polymers with a variety of favorable properties ideal for high performance applications.  Commercially available VERs contain derivates of bisphenol A (BPA), a known human endocrine disruptor.  Therefore, bio-based alternatives are being investigated for their sustainability aspect and possibilities of reduced toxicities and improved environmentally benign characteristics.  Vanillin, a lignin aromatic derivative, can be reduced to vanillyl alcohol and is considered a viable platform chemical for the production of bisphenols.  Cardanol, a main component of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), is an aromatic, non-edible by-product of cashew harvesting.  With a long, C15 alkyl chain, cardanol has been shown to impart toughness and thermal resistant properties to polymers and composites.  Vanillyl alcohol and cardanol (VAC) were coupled to create a bio-based bisphenol and its hydrogenated form (VAHC).  From these bisphenols, VE monomers were synthesized, blended with a reactive diluent and cured.  Polymers containing VAC and VAHC were shown to be viable bisphenols with increased thermal stabilities yet decreased glass transition temperatures due to the inherent C15 alkyl chain cardanol.  The toughness of the polymers containing VAC and VAHC were greater than a polymer containing a structurally similar cross-linking agent (dimethacrylated BPA), however, less than a commercially available cured VER.  Nonetheless, we present this next generation bisphenols derived from renewables as our fundamental processing-structure-property relationship study demonstrates their utility in thermosetting resin applications.<br/>

Next generation bisphenols derived from lignin and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL): Application in thermosetting resins

256th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.