Photo-DSC and dynamic mechanical studies on UV curable compositions containing diacrylate of ricinoleic acid amide derived from castor oil

A difunctional acrylate of ricinoleic acid amide (COEDA) was synthesized from castor oil, which was non-irritant, odorless and capable of fast polymerization. Cross-linked networks were prepared by photo polymerization of the COEDA monomer as well as with varying amount of reactive diluents namely tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA) and trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA) with the aim of modifying the curing and viscoelastic characteristics of the networks. Conversion as well as rate of conversion of COEDA copolymers enhanced with diluents percentage. Cure kinetics indicated an auto-accelerated process in which the rate constant increased with increasing amount of diluents. Storage modulus and glass transition temperature of UV-cured films were determined by DMTA. Films containing varying amount of TPGDA showed very close Tg-values where as those with increasing amount of TMPTA exhibited higher values of Tg.