Synthesis and characterization of cross-linked polymer from cardanol by solvent-free grinding polymerization

By grinding cardanol and anhydrous FeCl3 powder using a glass pestle in a mortar at ambient and solvent-free condition, a novel cross-linked polymer from cardanol, a renewable resource, was synthesized in high yield up to 80% in 5 min. The products were characterized through UV-vis. FT-JR. and H-1 NMR; and the solvent-free grinding polymerization was consisted of Friedel-Crafts reaction, etherification reaction, and oxidative coupling reaction. The effect of these different techniques on spectral, thermal, optical, electrical, and morphological properties of polycardanol were investigated. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.