The uniform dispersion of polysilsesquioxane (POSS) in the matrix and strong interfacial bonding polysilsesquioxane (POSS) particulate and epoxy chains are critical for achieving epoxy/POSS with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. In this study, polysilsesquioxane (POSS) reinforced bio-based cardanol NC-514 s epoxy elastomeric network was prepared, and the effects of POSS content on the mechanical and thermal properties of the as-prepared sample were investigated. Polysilsesquixane (POSS) modification biobased cardanol NC-514 s epoxy elastomeric (POSS-NC) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Mechanical tests showed that the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation-at-break of the prepared materials increased with an increase of POSS content. DSC and TGA analyses showed the increased trend of glass transition temperature with the addition of POSS. Typically, the epoxy thermoset without/with 10% (by wt) POSS increased tensile strength from 1. 18 to 3. 69 MPa, and Young's modulus from 1. 08 to 2. 71 MPa, increased elongation from 100. 85 to 122. 61% and increased glass temperature from 24. 2 to 48. 0 º, C by DSC and 32. 5 to 45. 1 º, C by DMA, respectively. This novel POSS reinforced bio-based renewable cashew phenol epoxy elastomer provided an ideal candidate for toughening epoxy-based thermosetting materials, showing the potential application of bio-based epoxy-based composite materials.

The current research work presents an attempt to develop an antimicrobial agent from the bioresource cardanol which can be embedded in the polymer matrix to develop a UV curable coating. The brominated cardanol (BC) was synthesized from liquid bromine (Br2) and cardanol followed by the reaction with triethylamine (TEA) to synthesize quaternary ammonium cardanol (AC). Further, the reaction with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) gives a UV curable antimicrobial agent (AA). This AA was incorporated in the epoxy acrylate UV curable system in various proportions along with the photoinitiator and coated onto a wooden substrate. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies and elemental analysis results revealed that the desired product has been formed. An antimicrobial test was performed with three types of microorganisms viz., bacteria, yeast, and fungi. The test results showed that the antimicrobial performance of the coatings was increased with the significant inhibition percentage values of 81. 59% for gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), 77. 12% for gram-negative bacteria (E. coli), and 73. 82% for yeast (Candida albicans). Also, there was a decrease in the growth% value of the fungi (Aspergillus niger) as the concentration of AA in the system was increased. The mechanical properties of all the coatings were similar. There was a decrease in the Tg as well as in the degradation temperature of the coating films as the concentration of AA was increased, but the char yield got increased, as well. The sample with 20 wt% of AA showed the maximum amount of char yield (11. 49%).

A bio-based plasticizer, epoxidized acetylation cardanol, was synthesized from cardanol, which experienced acetylation reaction and epoxidation reaction. Chemical structure of epoxidized acetylation cardanol was characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR. Plasticized PVC films (PVC-P) were prepared by casting method with 40%wt of epoxidized acetylation cardanol as plastizier. Thermal stability and plasticizing effect of PVC and PVC-P were investigated. The results presented that epoxidized acetylation cardanol enhanced the thermal stability of PVC-P and decreased glass transition temperature (Tg) from 81. 9° C to 1. 6° C. The tensile strength decreased from 26. 60 MPa to 8. 06 MPa, the elongation at break increased from 167. 21 % to 905. 44%. All of the results indicated that epoxidized acetylation cardanol could be used as main plasticizer for preparing flexible PVC materials.

The highly cross-linked epoxy cured network suffers from the brittle nature and poor elongation, which hinders many potential applications. In this study, a biology-based cardanol NC-514S-modified polyether amine D230 was synthesized and used as an epoxy hardener (NC-D230). The effects of NC-514S content on the mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared samples were investigated. At the same time, we used cyclic stretching to further characterize its mechanical strength, and characterized the curing agent before and after modification through SEM and FTIR. Mechanical tests on the samples showed that the increase of NC-514S content results in lower tensile strength and Young’, s modulus but an increase in elongation-at-breaks. DSC and TGA analyses showed a decreasing trend of glass transition temperature with the addition of NC-514S. Typically, the epoxy thermoset without/with 75% (by wt) NC-514S-modified D230 decreased tensile strength from 61. 7 to 17. 74 MPa, and Young’, s modulus from 496 to 11. 56 MPa. It increased elongation from 13. 43% to 97. 97%, and decreased glass temperature from 87. 5 to 51. 9 °, C by DSC and 87. 8 to 54. 7 °, C by DMA, respectively. This novel bio-based renewable cashew phenol-modified polyetheramine may provide an ideal candidate for toughening an epoxy-based thermosetting materials. At the same time, it also provides a new way for the toughening of epoxy resin.