Photocross‐linked polymers based on plant‐derived monomers for potential application in optical 3D printing

ABSTRACT Photocross linking of the resins composed of plant‐derived monomers, acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO), myrcene (MYR) and vanillin dimethacrylate (VDM) or divinylbenzene (DVB, for comparison), was performed using 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone as photoinitiator. Photocross‐linking rate and properties of the crosslinked polymers depended on the resin compositions. The higher amount of MYR caused not only the better homogenization and lower viscosity of the resin but also the reduction of polymerization rate and the worse mechanical and thermal properties of the resulting polymers. The higher amount of aromatic component (VDM or DVB) improved mechanical and thermal properties of polymers. Moreover, the use of VDM instead of DVB in the system led to the higher photocross‐linking rate and higher yield of insoluble fraction. The resin composed of only plant‐derived monomers AESO/MYR/VDM, molar ratio 1:1:3, showed characteristics comparable to those of commercial petroleum‐derived photoresins and was selected as a potential renewable photoresin for application in optical 3D printing. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137 , 48708.