(274e) Bio-Based Vitrimer from Gallic Acid, Succinic Acid and Ethylene Glycol As Re-Processable and Recyclable Epoxy Ester Resin

Thermosets are extensively used in various applications due to their dimensional stability, good mechanical properties and high chemical resistance. However, they are considered unsustainable due to their petroleum-based resources, inadequate recyclability and unreprocessability. Biobased vitrimers, also known as bio-based covalent adaptable networks, represent a promising eco-friendly alternative to traditional thermosets such as Epoxy resins due to their reshaping and re-processing properties. This work focuses on the development of new, sustainable epoxy ester resin from the bio-based building block: Gallic acid, ethylene glycol and succinic acid. Gallic acid was first glycidylated by means of epichlorohydrin to produce the bio-based epoxy resin monomer in moderate yield. Ethylene glycol and succinic anhydride were reacted in the melt in 1:2 molar ratio to obtain the bio-based epoxy hardener in high yield (96.5%). This hardener was then was reacted with the glycidylated monomer in different molar ratios and in the presence of zinc as a transesterification catalyst to obtain the bio-based vitrimer. The materials obtained in this work were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, thermal scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. Additionally, the vitrimer’s thermal and thermo-mechanical properties were investigated.