Bio-Based Composites with Enhanced Matrix-Reinforcement Interactions from the Polymerization of α-Eleostearic Acid

Vegetable oil-based composites have been proposed as interesting bio-based materials in the recent past. The carbon–carbon double bonds in unsaturated vegetable oils are ideal reactive sites for free radical polymerization. Without the presence of a reinforcement, typical vegetable oil-based polymers cannot achieve competitive thermo-mechanical properties. Compatibilizers have been utilized to enhance the adhesion between resin and reinforcement. This work discusses the antagonist implications of polarity and crosslink density of an unprecedented polar α-eleostearic acid-based resin reinforced with α-cellulose, eliminating the need of a compatibilizer. It is shown that the polar regions of α-eleostearic acid can interact directly with the polar reinforcement. The successful isolation of α-eleostearic acid from tung oil was verified via GC-MS, 1H NMR, Raman, and FT-IR spectroscopies. The optimal cure schedule for the resin was determined by DSC and DEA. The composites’ thermo-mechanical properties were assessed by TGA, DSC, and DMA.