Amino acid-cured bio-based epoxy resins and their biocomposites with chitin- and chitosan-nanofibers

Supported Ionic Liquid-Phase Materials (SILP) as a Multifunctional Group of Highly Stable Modifiers and Hardeners for Carbon and Flax Epoxy Composites

This paper introduces a novel approach to enhance epoxy resin formulations by using SILP materials as multifunctional hardeners and fillers in composite structures reinforced with carbon and flax fibers. This study explores the integration of ionic liquids (ILs) onto a silica support structure, presenting various permutations involving silica selection, ionic liquid choice, and concentration. The focus of this study was to elucidate the influence of SILP on resin curing ability and the mechanical properties of the resulting composites. Detailed research was conducted, including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET) for SILP materials and curing characterization for epoxy resin formulations with different SILP materials. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the obtained composites were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis (SEM) (the force at break, the maximum elongation at break, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity). Through SILP incorporation, the mechanical properties of composites, including the modulus of elasticity and tensile strength, are substantially improved, a phenomenon akin to traditional filler effects. The findings highlight SILP materials as prospective candidates for concurrent hardening and filling roles within composites (through a single-step procedure, with prolonged storage stability and controlled processing conditions), particularly pertinent as the composite industry veers toward epoxy bioresins necessitating liquefaction via temperature application.

Recent advancement in synthesizing bio-epoxy nanocomposites using lignin, plant oils, saccharides, polyphenols, and natural rubbers: A review

Due to environmental issues, production costs, and the low recycling capability of conventional epoxy polymers and their composites, many science groups have tried to develop a new type of epoxy polymers, which are compatible with the environment. Considering the precursors, these polymers can be produced from plant oils, saccharides, lignin, polyphenol, and natural resins. The appearance of these bio-polymers caused to introduce a new type of composites, namely bio-epoxy nanocomposites, which can be classified according to the synthesized bio-epoxy, the used nanomaterials, or both. Hence, in this work, various bio-epoxy resins, which have the proper potential for application as a matrix, are completely introduced with the synthesis viewpoint, and their characterized chemical structures are drawn. In the next steps, the bio-epoxy nanocomposites are classified based on the used nanomaterials, which are carbon nanoparticles (carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, etc.), nano-silica (mesoporous and spherical), cellulose (nanofibers and whiskers), nanoclay and so on. Also, the features of these bio-nanocomposites and their applications are introduced. This review study can be a proper guide for developing a new type of green nanocomposites in the near future.

Amino Acids as Bio-Based Curing Agents for Epoxy Resin: Correlation of Network Structure and Mechanical Properties

Bio-based alternatives for petroleum-based thermosets are crucial for implementing sustainable practices in fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Therefore, the mechanical properties of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol a (DGEBA) cured with either l-arginine, l-citrulline, γ-aminobutyric acid, l-glutamine, l-tryptophan, or l-tyrosine were investigated to determine the potential of amino acids as bio-based curing agents for epoxy resins. Depending on the curing agent, the glass transition temperature, Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and critical stress intensity factor range from 98.1 ∘C to 188.3 ∘C, 2.6 GPa to 3.5 GPa, 39.4 MPa to 46.4 MPa, and 0.48 MPam0.5 to 1.34 MPam0.5, respectively. This shows that amino acids as curing agents for epoxy resins result in thermosets with a wide range of thermo-mechanical properties and that the choice of curing agent has significant influence on the thermoset’s properties. After collecting the results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile, flexural, compression, and compact tension tests, the functionality f, cross-link density νC, glass transition temperature Tg, Young’s modulus ET, compression yield strength σCy, critical stress intensity factor in mode I KIC, fracture energy GIC, and diameter of the plastic zone dp are correlated with one another to analyze their inter-dependencies. Here, the cross-link density correlates strongly positively with Tg, ET, and σCy, and strongly negatively with KIC, GIC, and dp. This shows that the cross-link density of DGEBA cured with amino acids has a crucial influence on their thermo-mechanical properties and that the thermosets considered may either be stiff and strong or tough, but hardly both at the same time.

Co-curing preparation of flame retardant and smoke-suppressive epoxy resin with a novel phosphorus-containing ionic liquid

Phosphorus-containing ionic liquid derivatives have been proven to be effective flame retardants for epoxy resin (EP). Flame retardants can accelerate the curing process and improve flame retardancy and smoke suppression of EP composites, which is challenging. In this paper, a novel phosphorus-containing ionic liquid (TPP-PF₆) was synthesized and used both as a co-curing agent with 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and as a highly effective flame retardant for EP. It has been found that TPP-PF₆ was conducive to improve the char formation of EP to inhibit the smoke release at high temperatures. For EP/TPP-PF₆ composites, the flame-retardant performance was enhanced rapidly with the increase of TPP-PF₆. With only 2 wt% of TPP-PF₆, EP/2.0TPP-PF₆ reached a UL-94 V-0 rating and a limiting oxygen index of 30.3%. The peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke production values of EP/2.0TPP-PF₆ were reduced by 36.32%, 45.81%, and 15.1% compared with those of pure EP, respectively. The thermal degradation products and flame retardant mechanism in gas and condensed phases were studied. It was found that TPP-PF₆ had flame retardant effect in the barrier effect of the condensed phase and the quenching effect of the gas phase. This work explores the high-efficiency flame retardant and smoke-suppressive structures with co-curing properties for EP, thus promoting the wide application of EP materials.

l-Arginine as Bio-Based Curing Agent for Epoxy Resins: Temperature-Dependence of Mechanical Properties

The precise characterization of new bio-based thermosets is imperative for the correct assessment of their potential as matrix material in fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Therefore, the mechanical properties of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol a (DGEBA) cured with l-arginine were investigated to determine whether the bio-based thermoset possesses the required mechanical properties for application as a matrix material. The cured thermoset is called Argopox. The mixture of amino acid and epoxy resin was prepared via three-roll milling and cured in the presence of an urea-based accelerator. The tensile, compression, flexural and toughness properties of Argopox were characterized at T=−40 ∘C, 22 ∘C and 80 ∘C to determine the temperature-dependence of the thermoset’s mechanical properties in its service temperature range. The glass transition temperature Tg was analyzed via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and is approximately 119 ∘C. The tensile, compression and flexural strength at 22 ∘C are about 56 MPa, 98 MPa and 85 MPa, respectively. The critical stress intensity factor KIC and fracture energy GIC at 22 ∘C are roughly 1.1 MPam0.5 and 510 Jm−, respectively. Consequently, Argopox possesses mechanical properties that reach performance levels similar to that of materials which are already used as matrix for fiber reinforced composites.

l-Arginine as a Bio-Based Curing Agent for Epoxy Resins: Glass Transition Temperature, Rheology and Latency

The need for sustainable practices in the processing chain of fiber-reinforced thermosets has led to the development of bio-based epoxy resins and curing agents. As a contribution to sustainable composites, this study focuses on the glass transition temperature (Tg), viscosity and latency of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol a (DGEBA) cured with l-arginine in the presence of a urea-based accelerator. These characteristics are decisive features for application as a matrix in fiber-reinforced polymer composites produced via prepreg technology in which low viscosity and sufficient latency, meaning low reactivity of the one-component system, are necessary. The homogeneous mixture of amino acid and epoxy resin was prepared via three-roll milling. Two formulations, Argopox-1 with 1 wt.% accelerator and Argopox-2.5 with 2.5wt.% accelerator, were prepared and parts of each formulation were stored at 22 °C and -18 °C, respectively. Both formulations were tested via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small amplitude oscillatory shear rheology (SAOS) after 0 d, 30 d, 60 d, 90 d and 180 d of storage to determine the influence of accelerator weight fraction, storage temperature and storage period on the glass transition temperature of the uncured resin system Tg0, and their viscosity. The Tg of the thermosets is about 100 °C. The DSC and SAOS measurements show that the Tg0 of Argopox-1 shifts about 5 °C in 60 d, while its viscosity is still low enough to be processed in a prepreg production line. Furthermore, Argopox-1 is storable for at least 180 d at -18 °C without significant changes in its Tg0 and viscosity. Consequently, Argopox-1 possesses a sufficiently high Tg and adequate latency, as well as a low viscosity for application as prepreg matrix material.

Modified Epoxy with Chitosan Triazine Dihydrazide Derivatives for Mechanical and Corrosion Protection of Steel

Modification of the curing exothermic reaction of epoxy resin with polyamine (PA) hardeners by new chemically bonded fillers to improve the mechanical properties and anticorrosion performances of the epoxy coatings is the main goal for wide applications of epoxy coatings. In this work, the chemical structure of chitosan was modified with triazine hydrazide moiety that contains primary, secondary, and tertiary amine groups to act as activator and dangling chain linkers during the curing of epoxy/PA system. Different molecular masses of chitosan were modified with triazine dihydrazide moiety (Ch-TH2), and their chemical structures and surface morphologies were identified. Their thermal stabilities were investigated, and the grafting percentages with triazine hydrazide were determined from thermal analysis. Different weight percentages of Ch-TH2 ranged from 1 to 10 Wt. % were added to the epoxy/PA system, and their curing characteristics, such as heat enthalpy and glass transition temperature, were determined from non-isothermal dynamic scanning calorimetric thermograms. The effects of molecular masses, triazine dihydrazide %, and Ch-TH2 Wt. % on the mechanical, adhesion and anticorrosive properties of the cured epoxy/PA coatings for steel were investigated. The optimum Ch-TH2 Wt. % was selected from 3 to 6 Wt. % to improve the mechanical, adhesion, and anticorrosive properties of the cured epoxy/PA coatings.

Adhesive properties of bio-based epoxy resin reinforced by cellulose nanocrystal additives

The adhesive properties of a self-prepared bio-based epoxy resin with native cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are evaluated in this article. The porosity of actual CNCs is high. The most promising finding is the acquisition of high tensile modulus. The addition of CNC composites significantly increased the tensile modulus at lower wt.%, and the maximum crystallinity of CNCs was obtained. Bearing in mind the advantages of CNCs, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a uniform distribution of concentrated CNCs. Clusters were formed at higher CNCs ratios, and the composite matrix content with high CNCs produced good expansion, low crystallinity, and increased elongation. Our analysis showed that the original CNCs were more evenly distributed in the self-prepared bio-based epoxy resin, which enhanced transformation, supported by improved dispersion of native CNCs. The presence of native CNCs greatly improved and enhanced the bonding performance of the bio-based epoxy resin in the interface area. Enhancing the mechanical properties of native CNCs has broad application prospects in environmental areas. This suggests that the widespread use of native CNCs in environmental engineering applications is feasible, especially in terms of adhesives properties.

Synthesis and characterization of isophorondiamine-based oligoamides: catalytic effect of amides during the curing of epoxy resins

The aminolysis products of PET could be applied in several fields. The purpose of this study was to explore their use as a dual-purpose component as cross-linkers and catalysts in epoxy curing. PET aminolysis was carried out with 1:1.5 and 1:2 PET/amine ratios to produce amides with different molecular weights. The reaction products were characterized with functional group analysis, NMR, FTIR, MALDI-TOF, and solution viscosimetry. The terephthalamides were dissolved in isophorondiamine and used as cross-linkers. Reaction kinetics studies with DSC, viscosimetry, and quantum chemical computational methods were used to characterize their accelerative effects. Our studies have shown that terephthalamides are active catalyst and their efficiency can be tuned with their molecular weight. The quantum chemical simulations suggested that the terephthalamides are in the same order of magnitude in effectiveness as phenolic accelerators. Consequently, terephthalamides are valued materials that can serve as double-purpose components in epoxy curing.

Chitin nano-whiskers (CNWs) as a bio-based bio-degradable reinforcement for epoxy: evaluation of the impact of CNWs on the morphological, fracture, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and thermal characteristics of DGEBA epoxy resin

Chitin nano-whiskers (CNWs) reinforcement for producing optically transparent epoxy nanocomposites with enhanced fracture, mechanical and thermal characteristics.