A series of bio-based epoxy shape-memory thermosetting polymers were synthesized starting from a triglycidyl phloroglucinol (3EPOPh) and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TPTE) as epoxy monomers and a polyetheramine (JEF) as crosslinking agent. The evolution of the curing process was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the materials obtained were characterized by means of DSC, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), stress-strain tests, and microindentation. Shape-memory properties were evaluated under free and totally constrained conditions. All results were compared with an industrial epoxy thermoset prepared from standard diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A (DGEBA). Results revealed that materials prepared from 3EPOPh were more reactive and showed a tighter network with higher crosslinking density and glass transition temperatures than the prepared from DGEBA. The partial substitution of 3EPOPh by TPTE as epoxy comonomer caused an increase in the molecular mobility of the materials but without worsening the thermal stability. The shape-memory polymers (SMPs) prepared from 3EPOPh showed good mechanical properties as well as an excellent shape-memory performance. They showed almost complete shape-recovery and shape-fixation, fast shape-recovery rates, and recovery stress up to 7 MPa. The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude that the triglycidyl phloroglucinol derivative of eugenol is a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to DGEBA for preparing thermosetting shape-memory polymers.
Keywords: bio-polymers; epoxy; renewable resources; shape-memory polymers.