Green Regenerative Bamboo Lignin-Based Epoxy Resin: Preparation, Curing Behavior, and Performance Characterization

Jiayao Yang (), Jie Fei and Xingxing Wang
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Jiayao Yang: School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
Jie Fei: School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
Xingxing Wang: School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: The dependence of conventional epoxy resins on fossil fuels and the environmental and health hazards associated with bisphenol A (BPA) demand the creation of sustainable alternatives. Because lignin is a natural resource and has an aromatic ring skeleton structure, it could be used as an alternative to fossil fuels. This study effectively resolved this challenge by utilizing a sustainable one-step epoxidation process to transform lignin into a bio-based epoxy resin. The results verified the successful synthesis of epoxidized bamboo lignin through systematic characterization employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen spectroscopy/two-dimensional heteronuclear single-quantum coherent nuclear magnetic resonance, quantitative phosphorus spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. Lignin-based epoxy resins had an epoxy equivalent value of 350–400 g/mol and a weight-average molecular weight of 4853 g/mol. Studies on the curing kinetics revealed that polyetheramine (PEA-230) demonstrated the lowest apparent activation energy (46.2 kJ/mol), signifying its enhanced curing efficiency and potential for energy conservation. Mechanical testing indicated that the PEA-230 cured network demonstrated the maximum tensile strength (>25 MPa), whereas high-molecular-weight polyetheramine (PEA-2000) imparted enhanced elongation to the material. Lignin-based epoxy resins demonstrated superior heat stability. This study demonstrates the conversion of bamboo lignin into bio-based epoxy resins using a simple, environmentally friendly synthesis process, demonstrating the potential to reduce fossil resource use, efficiently use waste, develop sustainable thermosetting materials, and promote a circular bioeconomy.

Keywords: sustainability; bamboo lignin; bio-based epoxy resin; green chemistry; curing kinetics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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