NATURALLY FUNCTIONALIZED TRIGLYCERIDE OILS IN INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS

The use of naturally functionalized triglyceride oils in interpenetrat ing polymer networks (IPNs) is reviewed. An oil bearing either hydroxy l or epoxide functionality may be crosslinked to form a soft elastomer in the presence of another monomer or network to form an IPN, or in t he presence of a linear polymer, to form a semi-IPN. Polymerization an d characterization of naturally functionalized triglyceride oils are m entioned, with emphasis on the distribution and effect of nontrifuncti onal triglycerides on elastomer properties. The simultaneous synthesis of polystyrene/functional triglyceride oil IPNs is reviewed, and seve ral factors influencing IPN morphology and mechanical properties are d iscussed. The synthesis and properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) /functional triglyceride oil semi-IPNs are emphasized, with the import ance of ester interchange in the synthetic procedure, and factors infl uencing crystallinity and morphology are introduced.