Biorenewable polymers based on acrylated epoxidized soybean oil and methacrylated vanillin

A series of novel, biorenewable polymers based on acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and methacrylated vanillin (MV) was prepared through bulk free-radical polymerization. The chemical composition of AESO was investigated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The thermo-mechanical properties of the resulting polymers were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and tensile tests. The effect of the ratio of AESO and MV on the thermo-mechanical properties of the copolymers was investigated. Increasing MV content resulted in an increase in storage modulus, glass transition temperature, Young’s modulus, and tensile strength in the copolymers. However, both thermal stability and elongation of the copolymers decreased with increasing MV content. The new bio-based polymers exhibited glass transition temperatures ranging from −4 to 103 °C. Their good mechanical properties and high thermal stability make them suitable candidates for advanced composite applications.