CHAPTER 9: Towards Green: A Review of Recent Developments in Bio-renewable Epoxy Resins from Vegetable Oils

Polymers based on vegetable oils (VOs) have the potential to replace or augment traditional, petroleum-based polymers. Epoxidized vegetable oils (EVOs) are a form of epoxy monomer derived from raw VOs. They are widely used as plasticizers and intermediates for polyols of bio-based polyurethane or unsaturated polyesters. A comprehensive review in this chapter covers epoxy thermoset polymers prepared from EVOs and analogous, fatty-acid-derived epoxy monomers resins. The scope, performance, and limitations with respect to utilization of such materials in various applications are highlighted. The utility of EVO monomers is enabled or limited by their reactivity and by the physical properties of their resulting polymers. The effects of the chemical structures of VO-based epoxy, various catalysts, and co-monomers on the properties of thermoset polymers are especially emphasized.