Synthesis of a bio-based internal plasticizer from cardanol and its evaluations

Cardanol is a substituted phenol obtained from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) by the vacuum distillation. It is a feasible alternative to petrochemically derived phenol for many applications. Cardanol has shown potential as a suitable sustainable linker to chemically bind polymers used as internal plasticizers. This research project explores the utilization of cardanol in grafting of cardanol onto neoprene rubber (CR) by click chemistry at room temperature. The products obtained were also assessed by vulcanization characteristics test, the migration test, differential thermal gravity analysis (DTG), rheological analysis and characterization of the fractured surface by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results of mechanical analysis and migration test indicated the plasticization effect of the cardanol when grafted onto the CR, which can serve as an internal plasticizer to improve the related properties of CR formulations.