Research Progress on Vanillin-based Thermosets

Thermosetting resins take an important position in the polymer field, while they rely on limited and rapidly depleting fossil resources. Vanillin is currently the only industrialized bio-based monomer with benzene ring from renewable and abundant lignin. In this paper, the need for developing vanillin-derived thermosets as well as a summary of research progress is presented. Vanillinderived thermosets are divided into several categories including epoxy resins, benzoxazines, phenolic resins, methacrylates and other thermosets. Synthetic routes and the properties of the vanillin-derived thermosets are described. Finally, conclusions and outlooks are highlighted. Keywords: Cross-linked polymers, lignin, biomass, renewable bioresources, epoxy resins, methacrylates, vanillin.