Polysulfide-derived polymers with a controllable density and mechanical strength were designed and prepared successfully using bio-based cottonseed oil (CO) and its derivatives, including fatty acid of cottonseed oil (COF) and sodium soap of cottonseed oil (COS). The reaction features of CO, COF and COS for polysulfide polymers were investigated and compared. Based on the free radical addition mechanism, COF reacts with sulfur to generate serials of polysulfide-derived polymers. COF strongly influences the density and tensile strength of these polymer composites. Whereas COS was not involved in the reaction with sulfur, as a filler, it could increase the density and tensile strength of polysulfide-derived polymers. Moreover, the results showed that these samples had an excellent reprocessability and recyclability. These polysulfide-based polymers, with an adjustable density and mechanical strength based on CO and derivatives, could have potential applications as bio-based functional supplementary additives.
Keywords: cottonseed oil; fatty acid of cottonseed oil; polysulfide-derived polymers; sodium soap of cottonseed oil.