Epoxy resin modification by reactive bio-based furan derivatives: Curing kinetics and mechanical properties

Bio-resourced furan derivatives as additive (polyfurfuryl alcohol, PFA) and hardener (Difurfuryl amine, DFA) were synthesized then utilized in the preparation of the bio-based epoxy networks. The structural, thermal, thermomechanical, and mechanical properties and also the curing kinetics of the bio-based epoxy networks were investigated. FTIR and (HNMR)-H-1 corroborate the successful synthesis of the materials as well as the reaction between components. the mechanical properties of the networks such as tensile strength, Young's modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus were ranging 10-16 MPa, 900-1100 MPa, 54-64 MPa and 3-4 GPa respectively. The curing kinetics was investigated by non-isothermal DSC and isoconversional methods to determine kinetic data and measurement of the activation energy. The applied models for the kinetic study were successfully fitted to the experimental data obtained from DSC. The results demonstrated the autocatalytic process of curing in samples. Also the activation energy of the curing process was ranging 50-80 KJ/mol.