Epoxidized Sucrose Soyate and Derivatives as Bioderived Crosslinkers in Various Thermosets

Abstract

Throughout the world, alternatives to petrochemically-derived materials are being sought. Aside from petrochemical feedstocks with precarious futures, materials that are derived from renewable resources such as crops are attractive. Epoxidized sucrose soyate is a material made from soybean oil and sucrose. Its rigid sucrose core, flexible aliphatic chains, and many modifiable epoxy sites make it an attractive candidate to replace petrochemically derived materials in a multitude of thermosets. This dissertation encompasses studies of ESS and its derivatives for the development of thermosets in a variety of processes. Namely, ESS-derived polycarbamates for use in ambient-curing polyurethane coatings produced via carbamate-dialdehyde crosslinking, ESS-derived acrylic resins for their use in stereolithographic printing, and UV-curable epoxy coatings from both ESS and adhesion-promoting derivatives. The incorporation and effect of strengthening and/or processing additives were also assessed in the mentioned ESS-containing thermosets. Each topic involves a unique area where formulations use resins derived from petrochemicals; several posing health and/or environmental concerns. Investigations to match or exceed the performances of conventional formulations with alternatives made with ESS further demonstrate the remarkable tunability and versatility of this material, as well as the assets available to lessen reliance on petrochemicals with the use of a renewable resource.