Development of Biobased Epoxy Matrices for the Preparation of Green Composite Materials for Civil Engineering Applications

Abstract

Epoxy matrices are successfully used for structural strengthening in civil engineering applications by means of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs). In the context of sustainable development, the aim of this study is to develop biobased epoxy matrices as an alternative to the traditional petroleum‐based epoxy matrices used in CFRPs. This study focuses on two biobased epoxy monomers: a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and a sorbitol polyglycidyl ether (SPGE). These monomers are reacted with a biobased curing agent, a phenalkamine (PhA), derived from cardanol. After in‐depth characterization of the chemical structures of the three monomers, the reactivity of both systems, DGEBA‐PhA and SPGE‐PhA, is studied using differential scanning calorimetry and rheology. The properties of the networks are characterized via dynamic mechanical analysis and water uptake measurements for polymers with partial or full conversion of epoxy groups, which are obtained by crosslinking at room temperature or at high temperature, respectively. The results reveal that the two systems are good candidates for the preparation of green composite materials as they meet the requirements necessary for manufacturing composites in civil engineering applications.

Recyclable, reprocessable, self-adhered and repairable carbon fiber reinforced polymers using full biobased matrices from camphoric acid and epoxidized soybean oil

“…[7][8][9] Taking this concept and using it in materials' design, much effort has been devoted to developing biobased epoxy resins as substitutes for petroleum-based products for advanced composites. [10][11][12][13] For example, Miyagawa et al have constructed tough CFRPs using a biobased epoxy/clay matrix with 50 wt% epoxidized linseed oil, the flexural strength and modulus of which reached 1.3 and 130 GPa, respectively. 10 Yi and coworkers have designed a rosin-based epoxy matrix for the preparation of glass fiber prepreg and composite laminates.…”

Impacts of cellulose nanofibers on the morphological behavior and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of extruded polylactic acid/cellulose nanofibril nanocomposite foam

“…2 One of the effective measures to solve these problems is the reuse or return of materials to the production cycle and another method is to use biodegradable materials instead of non-biodegradable materials. 3,4 Irrespective of the kind of their raw materials, some plastics are biodegradable. Therefore, if correctly collected and treated with organic matter, they can be biodegraded and converted to compost.…”

“…Most commercial polymers are non‐biodegradable and this raises the economic and environmental concerns of waste disposal 2 . One of the effective measures to solve these problems is the reuse or return of materials to the production cycle and another method is to use biodegradable materials instead of non‐biodegradable materials 3,4 . Irrespective of the kind of their raw materials, some plastics are biodegradable.…”

Introduction to biobased materials and biotechnologies for eco-efficient construction

“…Bioresins based on polyfurfuryl alcohol produced from agricultural wastes have also recently been used with interesting results in civil engineering structural composites (Gkaidatzis, 2014). A widely technological solution for structural strengthening in civil engineering applications is based on carbon fiber reinforced polymers; however, not only they are expensive but also have a high environmental footprint, which explains why some authors (Viretto and Galy, 2018) are developing biobased epoxy matrices and also why Limaiem et al 2019recently studied the use of flax fiber reinforced polymer for the repair of damaged concrete and noticed that the new composites allowed not only enhancing properties of damaged concrete strength by 150%, but also being associated to great ductility. Another important polymer widely used by the construction industry is polyurethane that is used in thermal insulation, as sealant, adhesive, in concrete jointing, and as protective coating (Somarathna et al, 2018).…”