Green Synthesis of a Bio-Based Epoxy Curing Agent from Isosorbide in Aqueous Condition and Shape Memory Properties Investigation of the Cured Resin

The bio-based diamine and epoxy monomer derived from isosorbide are synthesized. Especially, the diamine is obtained using microwave assistant thiol-ene coupling reaction in the aqueous media and the influence of reaction parameters, such as initiator content and reaction time, are investigated. After curing the synthesized epoxy monomer together with the diamine, properties of the cured resins are studied by differential sscanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetric analyzer. Results demonstrate that the cured resin has good shape fixity, good shape recovery, and satisfied thermal stability despite the presence of heteroatoms. This bio-based epoxy resin shows great potential to be used as a candidate for shape memory material. Considering the bio-based feedstock and environmental friendly synthetic process, a “green + green” strategy to prepare thermosetting resins with advanced properties is provided in this paper.