From Patauá Oil to Sustainable Polymers: Investigation of Epoxy/Anhydride Crosslink in Different Proportions

Abstract

The synthesis of new materials from vegetable oils has increased due to technological applications and low environmental impact. Oil obtained from the patauá fruit (Oenocarpus bataua) is rich in linoleic and oleic fatty acids that can be modified by their double bonds to obtain green monomers. Thus, patauá oil can be reacted with an intercrossing agent to obtain a thermosetting polymer. This work focused on developing biomass-derived materials with hardened mechanical properties based on epoxidized patauá oil and benzophenone dianhydride. The global approach used for the crosslinking process started with the choice of crosslinker and ammonium salts as catalysts. Furthermore, epoxide-dianhydride copolymerization was investigated at different molar ratios (of anhydride and catalyst) to adjust the parameters that led to better conversions and properties. The final material exhibited conversions > 97% using only 5% catalyst and 2 h of curing at 120 °C, with the degradation process starting at 240 °C and glass transition temperature (Tg) at -1.5 °C. The produced polymer is luminescent and has low water absorption, suggesting its application in electronic devices and insulation.