Work

Self-healable polymer networks based on the cross-linking of epoxidised soybean oil by an aqueous citric acid solution

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Epoxidised soybean oil (ESO) was cross-linked with an aqueous citric acid (CA) solution without the addition of any other catalyst or solvent. Completely bio-based polymer networks were generated. The initial system was an emulsion, but it became a homogeneous and transparent polymer network by reaction. The ability of the final materials to self-heal without adding extrinsic catalysts was assessed by stress relaxation and lap-shear tests. This was achieved by molecular rearrangements produced by thermally activated transesterification reactions of β-hydroxyester groups generated in the polymerization reaction.

Source: Green Chemistry

DOI: 10.1039/c3gc41384e

Authors: Facundo I. Altuna, Valeria Pettarin, Roberto J. J. Williams

Institutions: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, National University of Mar del Plata, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales

Language: English

Topic: Polymer composites and self-healing

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green

Funder: Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata