Synthesis and characterization of supramolecular elastomers from polyacids composed of vegetable oils

Abstract

Supramolecular elastomers were synthesized using vegetable oil materials namely palm acid oil (PAO) and sunflower oil (SFO). The oils were first epoxidized using formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The epoxidized oils and adipic acid were then reacted to make polyacids, mainly triacid. Finally, diethylenetriamine (DETA) was added to polyacid to yield fatty amide and a polycondensation with urea performed to achieve the desired elastomers. The synthesized materials were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) in order to determine structure, type of bonding and thermal stability. The spectrums revealed that the synthesized fatty amides are contained amide groups that correctly formed from reaction of amine groups of DETA and acid functionality of polyacids. Moreover, the resulted structures showed the formation of multiple hydrogen-bonding in the elastomers. TGA thermograms clearly indicated good thermal stability of the elastomers to 500 °C.