A Review of Vegetable Oil-Based Polymers: Synthesis and Applications

Abstract

The reviewed work addressed the shift in focus from conventional polymers to bio-based and renewable polymers. The environmental attributes of the renewable polymers make them preferred choice of matrix. The properties of the matrices from renewable origin could compete in high end applications. The composition of the fatty acids in plant seed oil was discussed and the determination of the level of unsaturation used the iodine value. This review also extensively discussed the values of various fatty acid components present in the oils. Areas of application of the thermosetting polymers obtained from plant seed oils were also discussed.