NATURALLY FUNCTIONALIZED TRIGLYCERIDE OILS IN INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS

The use of naturally functionalized triglyceride oils in interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) is reviewed. An oil bearing either hydroxyl or epoxide functionality may be crosslinked to form a soft elastomer in the presence of another monomer or network to form an IPN, or in the presence of a linear polymer, to form a semi-IPN. Polymerization and characterization of naturally functionalized triglyceride oils are mentioned, with emphasis on the distribution and effect of nontrifunctional triglycerides on elastomer properties. The simultaneous synthesis of polystyrene/functional triglyceride oil IPNs is reviewed, and several factors influencing IPN morphology and mechanical properties are discussed. The synthesis and properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/functional triglyceride oil semi-IPNs are emphasized, with the importance of ester interchange in the synthetic procedure, and factors influencing crystallinity and morphology are introduced.