Interpenetrating polymer networks from triglyceride oils containing special functional groups: A brief review1

Abstract

Abstract Although most triglyceride oils contain only double bond functionality, a few oils such as castor oil, vernonia oil, lesquerella oil, etc., contain other functional groups. These functional groups include hydroxy and epoxy groups, permitting the easy formation of polyesters and/or polyurethanes. In addition to the natural formation of epoxy‐bearing oils, the double bond functionality in ordinary triglyceride oils can be epoxidized. When these oils are polymerized to form polyesters or polyurethanes in the presence of polystyrene to synthesize interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN), a new class of tough plastics is formed.