Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornenyl-functionalized fatty alcohols

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 53 - 61
• Main Authors: Xia, Ying, Lu, Yongshang, Larock, Richard C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 06.01.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biorenewable; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymerization; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; ROMP; Thermoset; Biorenewable; ROMP; Thermoset; Ring opening polymerization; Molecular structure; Crosslink density; Mechanical properties; Complex catalyst polymerization; Experimental study; Thermal stability; Metathesis polymerization; Dynamic mechanical properties; Castor oil; Preparation; Plant origin; Crosslinked polymer; Norbornene derivative polymer; Soybean oil
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2009.11.011

Novel biorenewable-based thermosets have been successfully synthesized by the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornenyl-functionalized fatty alcohols derived from soybean oil (NMSA), Dilulin (NMDA), ML189 (NMMA) and castor oil (NMCA). The effects of the monomer structure on the polymerization process, and the thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting thermosets have been extensively investigated. The number of ROMP-reactive rings appended to the fatty acid chain and the viscosity play an important role in controlling the initiation and propagation processes of the polymerization and the final properties of the thermosets obtained. The thermosets have been characterized by Soxhlet extraction, DMA, TGA, and tensile tests. It has been found that polyNMDA and polyNMMA have best thermo-mechanical properties. Compared with polyNMSA, the polyNMDA and polyNMMA thermosets exhibit lower soluble fractions, and higher thermal stabilities and mechanical properties, because of more effective crosslinking; whereas, polyNMCA exhibits a higher soluble fraction, and lower thermal stability, resulting from incomplete polymerization of the more viscous NMCA monomer. [Display omitted]