Synthesis of a Novel Cardanol-Based Benzoxazine Monomer and Environmentally Sustainable Production of Polymers and Bio-Composites

A novel pre-polymer deriving from cardanol—a well known renewable organic resource and harmful by-product of the cashew industry—in combination with cellulose based materials (i.e. jute fibres) has been used to produce bio-composites having a high percentage of renewable materials. Cardanol and its derivatives are considered nowadays very attractive precursors to developing new materials from renewable bio-sources to use in eco-friendly processes. This paper deals with the synthesis and characterization of a novel cardanol based benzoxazine monomer used for the preparation of new bio-composites. The new cardanol-based benzoxazine was characterised by 1H and 13C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopies and LC mass spectrometry analysis, while a differential scanning calorimeter was used to study and monitor the polymerization process. Different bio-composites have been obtained by thermal cure of jute fibres impregnated with a cardanol based benzoxazine resin