Polymerization kinetic pathways of epoxidized linseed oil with aliphatic bio-based dicarboxylic acids

The curing of epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) with three different bio-based dicarboxylic acids (sebacic acid, suberic acid, and succinic acid) has been investigated. No accelerators or catalysts were used and the resulting thermosets are 100% bio-based. Structural investigations of the three crosslinked ELO resins were made using FTIR spectroscopy and TMA, that is, tensile tests, TGA, and DMA. As evidenced by FTIR measurements ELO and dicarboxylic acids reacts but no major differences can be distinguished between the dicarboxylic acids. Non-isothermal curing has been conducted by rheological and DSC measurements. Advanced isoconversional analysis applied to DSC data in association with the complex viscosity variations gives new insights into the polymerization mechanism. The length of dicarboxylic acid carbon chain modifies the reaction rate. Then, a correlation between reaction rate, activation energy, pre-exponential factors, polymerization mechanism, and change in rate-limiting step was shown. DMA and tensile tests highlight the relationship between the carbon chain length, reactivity, and thermomechanical properties. The use of succinic acid allows reaching a higher T-g and thermal stability.