Synthesis and characterization of epoxidized neem oil: A bio‐derived natural processing aid for elastomer

Abstract

Low cost and environment‐friendly bio‐oils are gaining market value as a plasticizer for elastomeric compounds. Unsaturated triglycerides of bio‐oils can be easily modified in various ways, like epoxidation, esterification, and so on. In the present work, 15 mole percentage of the total double bond content of the neem oil (NO) was epoxidized by acetic acid‐hydrogen peroxide system to synthesize epoxidized neem oil (ENO). NO and ENO were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of ENO on the properties of nonpolar styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and polar nitrile rubber (NBR) was investigated. Tear strength (69.9 N/mm), abrasion resistance index (ARI) (68.2) and hardness (64 shore A) of the SBR/ENO compound were comparable to the compound containing total distillate aromatic extract (TDAE) (values: 70.8 N/mm, 68.0 and 64 shore A respectively). Tensile strength and ARI of conventional NBR/dioctyl phthalate (DOP) compound were 24.9 MPa and 107 respectively, whereas NBR/ENO compound showed improved tensile strength (26.9 MPa), and ARI (138). Tear strength (83.4 N/mm) and hardness (74 shore A) of NBR/ENO were comparable to the tear strength (83.5 N/mm) and hardness (74 shore A) of NBR/DOP compound. Hence, the multifunctional additive property of ENO makes it a cheap and sustainable replacement of TDAE and DOP.

Oil‐based epoxy and their composites: A sustainable alternative to traditional epoxy

“…Synthesized epoxidized oil was incorporated in the nitrile rubber matrix/styrene butadiene rubber matrix and compared with DOP vulcanizates. Overall, epoxidized neem oil is a comparable substitute for traditional vulcanizates; SEM results showed excellent carbon black dispersion and improvement in aging and thermal properties was observed 76 …”

“…Overall, epoxidized neem oil is a comparable substitute for traditional vulcanizates; SEM results showed excellent carbon black dispersion and improvement in aging and thermal properties was observed. 76 Similarly, neem oil is added as a plasticizer in the PLA matrix as a cost-effective alternative to other non-edible oils. Rajesh et al synthesized PLA and improved mechanical and thermal properties, including degradation, by incorporating neem oil into the polymer matrix.…”

Synthesis and application of sustainable vegetable oil-based polymers in 3D printing

“…However, it is crucial to conduct detailed studies on neem oil due to its toxicity, which can lead to contact allergies, lung irritation, and seizures, before considering its application in various uses. 80 Cardanol, extracted oil from cashew nut shells, has been modified through acrylation and epoxidation to produce cardanol-based acrylate. These modified compounds have demonstrated the ability to form polymers by incorporating the Darocur 1173 photoinitiator.…”

The Prospering of Macromolecular Materials Based on Plant Oils within the Blooming Field of Polymers from Renewable Resources

“…In another investigation, neem oil was epoxidized and added as a plasticizer to rubbers, improving or maintaining comparable mechanical properties with respect to rubbers containing traditional plasticizers. The authors concluded that epoxidized neem oil may serve as a cheap and sustainable replacement for traditional petroleum-based rubber plasticizers [ 78 ]. Acrylates containing a triazine ring as a rigid core and long fatty acid chains as soft arms were synthesized and added to acrylated epoxidized soybean oil to produce UV-curable coatings with improved thermal and mechanical properties [ 79 ].…”