Recyclable Curcumin-Based Bioepoxy Resin with On-Demand Chemical Cleavability

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Epoxy resins are widely used but face challenges in environmental impact and recyclability.
• Curcumin, a natural compound, offers potential for developing sustainable bio-based materials.
• Developing novel bioepoxy resins with tunable properties is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel curcumin-based bioepoxy resin.
• To investigate the curing behavior and mechanical properties of the developed resin.
• To explore the unique chemical cleavability of the synthesized epoxy resin for enhanced recyclability.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of curcumin-based bioepoxy resin via epichlorohydrin reaction.
• Characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
• Determination of epoxy equivalent weight (EEW) via titration and curing optimization using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of a novel curcumin-based bioepoxy resin.
• The cured resin exhibited a tensile strength of 33 MPa, Young's modulus of 1.4 GPa, and glass transition temperature (Tg) of 86 °C.
• The incorporated diunsaturated ketone moiety demonstrated on-demand chemical cleavability after oxidation.

Conclusions:

• The novel curcumin-based bioepoxy resin offers a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional epoxy resins.
• The on-demand chemical cleavability enhances the recyclability of the material.
• This research contributes to developing sustainable polymers for applications requiring durability and chemical resistance.