A Systematic Review of Epoxidation Methods and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Bio-Based Epoxy Resins.

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Title: A Systematic Review of Epoxidation Methods and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Bio-Based Epoxy Resins.
Authors: Álvarez, Manuel1,2 (AUTHOR) manuel.alvarezd@upm.es, Reilly, Anthony2 (AUTHOR), Suleyman, Obey1,2 (AUTHOR), Griffin, Caleb2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Polymers (20734360). Jul2025, Vol. 17 Issue 14, p1956. 34p.
Subjects: Epoxidation, Epoxy resins, Mechanical behavior of materials, Ecological impact, Vegetable oils, Biodegradable materials, Evidence gaps, Nanocomposite materials
Abstract: There has been a growing interest in polymer-based materials in recent years, and current research is focused on reducing fossil-derived epoxy compounds. This review examines the potential of epoxidised vegetable oils (EVOs) as sustainable alternatives to these systems. Epoxidation processes have been systematically analysed and their influence on chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties has been assessed. Results indicate that basic, low-toxicity epoxidation methods resulted in resins with comparable performance to those obtained through more complex common/commercial procedures. In total, 5–7% oxirane oxygen content (OOC) was found to be optimal to achieve a balanced crosslink density, thus enhancing tensile strength. Furthermore, mechanical properties have been insufficiently studied, as less than half of the studies were conducted at least tensile or flexural strength. Reinforcement strategies were also explored, with nano-reinforcing carbon nanotubes (CBNTs) showing the best mechanical and thermal results. Natural fibres reported better mechanical performance when mixed with EVOs than conventional systems. On the other hand, one of the main constraints observed is the lack of consistency in reporting key chemical and mechanical parameters across studies. Environmental properties and end-of-life use are significant challenges to be addressed in future studies, as there remains a significant gap in understanding the end-of-life of these materials. Future research should focus on the exploration of eco-friendly epoxidation reagents and standardise protocols to compare and measure oil properties before and after being epoxidised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Label: Title
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  Data: A Systematic Review of Epoxidation Methods and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Bio-Based Epoxy Resins.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Polymers+%2820734360%29%22">Polymers (20734360)</searchLink>. Jul2025, Vol. 17 Issue 14, p1956. 34p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Epoxidation%22">Epoxidation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Epoxy+resins%22">Epoxy resins</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mechanical+behavior+of+materials%22">Mechanical behavior of materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ecological+impact%22">Ecological impact</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vegetable+oils%22">Vegetable oils</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biodegradable+materials%22">Biodegradable materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evidence+gaps%22">Evidence gaps</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nanocomposite+materials%22">Nanocomposite materials</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: There has been a growing interest in polymer-based materials in recent years, and current research is focused on reducing fossil-derived epoxy compounds. This review examines the potential of epoxidised vegetable oils (EVOs) as sustainable alternatives to these systems. Epoxidation processes have been systematically analysed and their influence on chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties has been assessed. Results indicate that basic, low-toxicity epoxidation methods resulted in resins with comparable performance to those obtained through more complex common/commercial procedures. In total, 5–7% oxirane oxygen content (OOC) was found to be optimal to achieve a balanced crosslink density, thus enhancing tensile strength. Furthermore, mechanical properties have been insufficiently studied, as less than half of the studies were conducted at least tensile or flexural strength. Reinforcement strategies were also explored, with nano-reinforcing carbon nanotubes (CBNTs) showing the best mechanical and thermal results. Natural fibres reported better mechanical performance when mixed with EVOs than conventional systems. On the other hand, one of the main constraints observed is the lack of consistency in reporting key chemical and mechanical parameters across studies. Environmental properties and end-of-life use are significant challenges to be addressed in future studies, as there remains a significant gap in understanding the end-of-life of these materials. Future research should focus on the exploration of eco-friendly epoxidation reagents and standardise protocols to compare and measure oil properties before and after being epoxidised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3390/polym17141956
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 34
        StartPage: 1956
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Epoxidation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Epoxy resins
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mechanical behavior of materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ecological impact
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Vegetable oils
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biodegradable materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Evidence gaps
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nanocomposite materials
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A Systematic Review of Epoxidation Methods and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Bio-Based Epoxy Resins.
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            NameFull: Álvarez, Manuel
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            NameFull: Reilly, Anthony
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            NameFull: Suleyman, Obey
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            NameFull: Griffin, Caleb
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            – D: 15
              M: 07
              Text: Jul2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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