The utilization of wood-derived building blocks (xylochemicals) and other abundantly available, non-food biomasses to replace fossil-based precursors is an attractive research subject in modern polymer science and engineering. The continuing development of economically viable bio-based feedstocks and subsequent, new platform chemicals opens opportunities to increase the resource base from which chemical and materials engineers can draw to meet specific polymer and composite property requirements. Recently, significant efforts have transpired to obtain bio-based polymers and composites with enhanced thermal and physical properties for a wide variety of applications, from packaging to coatings to adhesives to energy storage devices. In continuing these efforts and to push the envelope, we have strategically assembled xylochemicals via our molecularly hybrid approach and have prepared and examined a variety of bio-based thermoplastics, thermosets, and composites, including epoxies, vinyl esters, allyl ethers, polyesters, and polycarbonates, all focused for utility in military applications. These novel materials are largely based on lignin-derived, (hemi)cellulose-derived, and cashew nut shell liquid-derived platform chemicals, but also contain components sourced from alternative bio-based feedstocks such as birch bark and agriculture wastes. This presentation will highlight our work on fundamentally understanding the processing-structure-property-toxicity relationships of our bio-based polymers and composites via thermal analysis and mechanical testing techniques. Furthermore, their utilities in military applications will be discussed.

Advancement of bio-based polymers and composites for military applications: Pushing the envelope via strategic assemblies of xylochemicals

256th National Meeting (2018)

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