High-performance and recyclable epoxy resins based on fully bio-based hardeners containing Schiff base structures
The development of recyclable bio-based epoxy resins has been the focus of research nowadays, particularly in light of increasing environmental concerns and the drive for resource recycling. Herein, two fully bio-based epoxy curing agents, VLYS (fully bio-based Schiff basic epoxy curing agent based...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The Royal Society
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Royal Society Open Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.250109 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | The development of recyclable bio-based epoxy resins has been the focus of research nowadays, particularly in light of increasing environmental concerns and the drive for resource recycling. Herein, two fully bio-based epoxy curing agents, VLYS (fully bio-based Schiff basic epoxy curing agent based on vanillin and lysine) and VLEV (fully bio-based Schiff basic epoxy curing agent based on vanillin and levodopa), were synthesized by reacting amino acids—lysine and levodopa, respectively—with vanillin. Both epoxy resins cured by these two hardeners, VLYS-E and VLEV-E, show high glass transition temperatures (Tg > 141°C) and superior mechanical properties (Young’s modulus >1000 MPa and flexural modulus >2900 MPa), which are far better than the resin system based on a petroleum-based curing agent. The incorporation of the Schiff base endows these resins with degradability and reprocessability, while exhibiting high-percentage retention of thermal and mechanical properties after two cycles. Taken together, these findings suggest that these fully bio-based curing agents hold significant potential to supplant conventional hardeners. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2054-5703 |