Microwave-assisted Free Radical Polymerization of Tung Oil-based Resins
Location
Nessmith-Lane Atrium
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Research Area Topic:
Natural & Physical Sciences - Chemistry
Abstract
Tung oil is a drying oil obtained from the seeds of tung trees. It has been shown, previously, that bio-based thermosets with good thermal and mechanical properties can be obtained by the thermally initiated free radical copolymerization of tung oil and other reactive olefins. In the current project, a mixture of tung oil, n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), and divinylbenzene (DVB) was cured in the presence of tert-butyl peroxide. The polymerization was carried out in a microwave reactor. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to assess the degree of cure samples reacted under various microwave powers and heating times. Despite obtaining completely cured samples for certain reaction conditions, the rapid heating imparted by the microwave resulted in cracks throughout the polymer. In order to limit crack formation, the resins have been pre-heated under microwaves and post cured in a regular convection oven. The thermo-mechanical properties of the tung oil-based polymers will be determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a structural characterization will be performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR) spectroscopy of Soxhlet extracts, Raman and FT-IR spectrocopies. In order to significantly decrease cure times and enhance mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes will be added to the system as reinforcement.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Start Date
4-16-2016 10:45 AM
End Date
4-16-2016 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Seye, Soulemane H., "Microwave-assisted Free Radical Polymerization of Tung Oil-based Resins" (2016). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 133.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2016/2016/133
Microwave-assisted Free Radical Polymerization of Tung Oil-based Resins
Nessmith-Lane Atrium
Tung oil is a drying oil obtained from the seeds of tung trees. It has been shown, previously, that bio-based thermosets with good thermal and mechanical properties can be obtained by the thermally initiated free radical copolymerization of tung oil and other reactive olefins. In the current project, a mixture of tung oil, n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), and divinylbenzene (DVB) was cured in the presence of tert-butyl peroxide. The polymerization was carried out in a microwave reactor. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to assess the degree of cure samples reacted under various microwave powers and heating times. Despite obtaining completely cured samples for certain reaction conditions, the rapid heating imparted by the microwave resulted in cracks throughout the polymer. In order to limit crack formation, the resins have been pre-heated under microwaves and post cured in a regular convection oven. The thermo-mechanical properties of the tung oil-based polymers will be determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a structural characterization will be performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR) spectroscopy of Soxhlet extracts, Raman and FT-IR spectrocopies. In order to significantly decrease cure times and enhance mechanical properties, carbon nanotubes will be added to the system as reinforcement.
