Acrylated epoxidised soybean oil (AESO), a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers, has shown promise in coatings, composites, and plasticisers. New research sheds light on the curing behaviour of AESO resins, focusing on the role of initiators and reactive diluents (RDs).

Soybean oil, valued for its abundance and renewability, has long been a key player in developing bio-based polymers. AESO, a commercially available derivative, offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers, finding applications in coatings, plasticisers, and composites.

Recent research has provided detailed insights into the curing kinetics of AESO resins, specifically investigating the impact of initiators and reactive diluents (RDs). The study utilised advanced methods, including Kissinger and Friedman equations, to analyse the curing process and its parameters.

Initiators and diluents: keys to curing

The findings revealed that the type of initiators significantly influences curing temperatures and activation energy, determined by their decomposition temperatures. Similarly, the molecular structure and number of C=C bonds in RDs played a crucial role in shaping the curing characteristics. The presence of RDs added complexity to the reaction, with activation energy closely linked to the degree of C=C conversion.

This research underlines the importance of fine-tuning processing parameters to optimise AESO resin applications, paving the way for their broader use in sustainable coatings.

Source: Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 188, March 2024, 108178