Bio-based Epoxy Thermoset Containing Stilbene Structure with Ultrahigh T-g and Excellent Flame Retardancy

Bio-based epoxy resins with an ultrahigh glass transition temperature (T-g) and excellent flame retardancy are critical for developing sustainable polymers. Herein, a novel trifunctional epoxy monomer triglycidyl ether of resveratrol (TGER) was synthesized from renewable resveratrol. The chemical structure of TGER was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), H-1, and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy which was then reacted with 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) to form resin. The obtained resin was evaluated in terms of flame retardance and thermal properties. The resultant TGER-DDM 240 resin shows excellent flame-retardant properties, presenting a residual char of 42.5% at 800 degrees C, limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 31.2%, and flammability rating of V-0 in UL94 test. Moreover, the resin possesses an ultrahigh T-g at 294 degrees C. This work provides a facile method for preparing high-performance flame-retardant epoxy resin from a renewable resource