Frontal-Photopolymerization of Fully Biobased Epoxy Composites

The radical-induced cationic frontal photopolymerization (RICFP) of fully biobased epoxy composites is successfully demonstrated. This curing strategy considerably reduces the curing time and improves the efficiency of the composite fabrication. Two different natural fiber fabrics made of cellulose and flax fibers are embedded in two epoxy matrices, one derived from vanillin (diglycidylether of vanillyl alcohol-DGEVA) and the other from petroleum (3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate-CE). After RICFP the composites are characterized by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and tensile tests. The mechanical properties improved with increasing fiber content, confirming a strong adhesion between the matrix and the reinforcing fiber fabrics, which is further evidenced by scanning electron microscopy analyses of the fracture surfaces. Furthermore, these fully bio-based composites possess comparable or even higher mechanical strength compared with the corresponding epoxy composites fabricated with conventional CE resin. A promising facile route to high-performing natural fiber-biobased epoxy resin composites is presented.

Automated summary

This study successfully demonstrated the radical-induced cationic frontal photopolymerization (RICFP) of fully biobased epoxy composites. This curing strategy significantly reduces the curing time, improves the efficiency of composite fabrication, and enhances the mechanical properties of the composites. The fully biobased composites show comparable or even higher mechanical strength compared with the corresponding composites fabricated with conventional CE resin.