Tailoring Biobased Epoxy Systems: Unraveling the Structure-Property Relationship of Polyfurfurylamines
摘要
The design of sustainable epoxy precursors and hardeners is under investigation since more than a decade to produce thermosets with outstanding thermomechanical properties and reduced environmental impact. Herein, we prepared four biobased amines using furan-carbonyl acidic condensation. Furfurylamine was condensed with acetone, benzaldehyde, cyclohexanone and terephthalaldehyde to reach di and tetraamines, employed to harden a fully biobased cardanol epoxy resin. The viscosity and functionality of the amines were suggested as the key factors governing the epoxy-amine curing kinetics. The structure-property relationship of polyfurfurylamines-cured epoxy resins were then assessed. The terephthalaldehyde-based amine was highlighted as the most performing hardener in terms of Tg, moduli and crosslink-density thanks to its tetrafunctionality. Finally, furanic amines containing benzene cores allowed to increase the char-yield of cardanol epoxy up to 15 wt%.