Biorenewable ROMP-based thermosetting copolymers from functionalized castor oil derivative with various cross-linking agents

A new norbornenyl-functionalized castor oil alcohol (NCA) was synthesized and ring-opening metathesis copolymerized separately with two norbornene-based cross-linking agents: dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and a bifunctional norbornene crosslinker (CL). Isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to examine the cure behavior of NCA/DCPD and NCA/CL resins, through which a reasonable cure schedule was determined. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and storage modulus (E′), characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), increased significantly in both copolymer systems with the addition of cross-linking agents. Cross-link density of the two systems was evaluated using a modified empirical equation from the kinetic theory of rubber elasticity. Differences in tensile stress-strain behavior and thermal stability between polymerized NCA/DCPD and NCA/CL were correlated to the structural rigidity and cross-linking density resulting from the cross-linking agents.