Synthesis and Preparation of Bio‐Based ROMP Thermosets from Functionalized Renewable Isosorbide Derivative

Abstract

One novel monomer based on renewable isosorbide, isosorbide silicon norbornene (ISN), is synthesized and a series of bio‐based thermosets is prepared via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of ISN in place of partial dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) in the presence of Grubbs' catalyst. 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy and nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been implemented to confirm the chemical composition of ISN and examine the curing behaviors of ISN/DCPD comonomers, respectively. Compared to DCPD, ISN is found to exhibit higher reactivity that allows facile lower temperature ROMP making it an ideal candidate for bio‐based self‐healing applications. The effect of incorporation of ISN on the thermal and mechanical properties of cured poly(ISN/DCPD) thermosets is also evaluated by dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, thermal mechanical analysis, and universal tensile test. The poly(ISN/DCPD) thermosets display good thermal/mechanical properties due to the introduction of less rigid ISN moieties and higher cross‐linking density of the material. image