In recent years lacquer chemistry stimulated more attention from scientific community due to its environmental friendly applications. A novel approach is introduced to develop polymers using 'laccol' extracted from Vietnamese lacquer sap (Toxicodendron succedanea). In nature, lacquer polymerization is induced via enzymatic radical initiation. Herein, lacquer polymer was synthesized via cationic polymerization with aluminum chloride-ethyl acetate (AlCl3.EtOAc) initiator complex. This approach was further improved by copolymerizing laccol-styrene and laccol-limonene designed for use in radiation hard materials. The Infra-Red (IR) Spectroscopic data clearly evidence reactions with trans conjugated double bonds present in long side chains (988 cm-1 and 966 cm-1 characteristic peaks) of laccol monomer accompanying the polymerization. This was further verified with proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis by indicating the disappearance of peaks around δ 5.6 and δ 6 which were correlated to trans conjugated double bonds. GPC, TGA, DSC and Rheometry were used to characterize the synthesized materials. Further, an increase in hardness was observed for all the compositions; after the gamma Co-60 irradiation without deteriorating the material. The properties such as thermal stability and hardness were improved after irradiation due to a possible increase in crosslinking. Therefore, the developed laccol polymer and its copolymers are suitable candidates to produce radiation hard polymer and copolymer coatings for aerospace operations, nuclear reactors, medicinal and automobile sectors.

Synthesizing laccol polymer and its copolymers using lacquer sap Toxidendron succedanea for radiation hard applications via cationic polymerization and characterizing the materials

2019 Spring National Meeting

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