Thermal Transition Temperature Research Articles

Improving mechanical and thermal properties of short carbon fiber/polyamide 6 composites through a polydopamine/nano‐silica interface layer

AbstractCarbon fiber (CF) reinforced matrix composites have been applied widely, however, the interfacial adhesion of composites is weak due to smooth and chemically inert of CF surface. To solve this problem, A polydopamine/nano‐silica (PDA‐SiO2) interfacial layer on carbon fiber surface was constructed via polydopamine and nano‐ SiO2 (CF‐PDA‐SiO2) by a facile and effective method to reinforce polyamide 6 composites (CFs/PA6). The effects of PDA‐SiO2 interfacial layer on crystallization structure and behavior, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of CFs/PA6 composites were investigated. Furthermore, interfacial reinforcement mechanism of composites has been discussed. This interfacial layer greatly increased the number of active groups of CF surface and its wettability obviously. The tensile strength of CF‐PDA‐SiO2/PA6 composites increased by 28.09%, 19.37%, and 26.22% compared to untreated‐CF/PA6, CF‐PDA/PA6, and CF‐SiO2/PA6 composites, respectively, which might be caused by the increased interfacial adhesion between CF and PA6 matrix. The thermal stability, crystallization temperature, crystallinity, and glass transition temperature (Tg) of CF‐PDA‐SiO2/PA6 composites improved correspondingly, attributing to the heterogeneous nucleation of nano‐SiO2 in the crystalline area and hydrogen bonds with molecular chains of PA6 in the amorphous area. This work provides a novel strategy for the construction of interfaces suitable for advanced CF composites with different structures.

Synthesis and Fabrication of a Betulin-Containing Polyolefin Electrospun Fibrous Mat for Antibacterial Applications.

Biocompounds play a significant role in the area of renewable polymers in terms of sustainability, as they can be employed or converted into monomers for polymerization in a manner similar to many petroleum-derived monomers. In this work, betulin, a plant-derived triterpene with antibacterial and antiviral properties, was converted to two kinds of α,ω-diene derivatives with different methylene spacer lengths between the olefin and the ester group via an esterification reaction. Polyolefins were subsequently made by acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization of betulin-based α,ω-diene. The polymer consists of rigid betulin and flexible unsaturated aliphatic segments, which was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The influence of different parameters including temperature, catalysts, and catalyst loading on ADMET polymerization was investigated. These polyolefins with high molar mass (up to 20.0 kg/mol) were obtained in an elevated yield (≥95%). Thermal analysis of these (co)polymers showed excellent thermal stability (up to 360 °C) and tunable glass transition temperatures depending on the nature of betulin and alkene segments. To evaluate the antimicrobial potential of betulin-containing polymers, the fabrication of polyolefin fibrous mats (ca. 400 nm diameter) via the electrospinning technique was successfully achieved. Their morphology and hydrophobicity were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water contact angle analyses. The fibrous mats possessed broad-spectrum antibacterial property, providing a feasible strategy to design betulin-based polymeric fibers for many applications in the biomedical field.

Non-Ionic Surfactant Effects on Innate Pluronic 188 Behavior: Interactions, and Physicochemical and Biocompatibility Studies.

The aim of this research was to prepare novel block copolymer-surfactant hybrid nanosystems using the triblock copolymer Pluronic 188, along with surfactants of different hydrophilic to lipophilic balance (HLB ratio-which indicates the degree to which a surfactant is hydrophilic or hydrophobic) and thermotropic behavior. The surfactants used were of non-ionic nature, of which Tween 80® and Brij 58® were more hydrophilic, while Span 40® and Span 60® were more hydrophobic. Each surfactant has unique innate thermal properties and an affinity towards Pluronic 188. The nanosystems were formulated through mixing the pluronic with the surfactants at three different ratios, namely 90:10, 80:20, and 50:50, using the thin-film hydration technique and keeping the pluronic concentration constant. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared nanosystems were evaluated using various light scattering techniques, while their thermotropic behavior was characterized via microDSC and high-resolution ultrasound spectroscopy. Microenvironmental parameters were attained through the use of fluorescence spectroscopy, while the cytotoxicity of the nanocarriers was studied in vitro. The results indicate that the combination of Pluronic 188 with the above surfactants was able to produce hybrid homogeneous nanoparticle populations of adequately small diameters. The different surfactants had a clear effect on physicochemical parameters such as the size, hydrodynamic diameter, and polydispersity index of the final formulation. The mixing of surfactants with the pluronic clearly changed its thermotropic behavior and thermal transition temperature (Tm) and highlighted the specific interactions that occurred between the different materials, as well as the effect of increasing the surfactant concentration on inherent polymer characteristics and behavior. The formulated nanosystems were found to be mostly of minimal toxicity. The obtained results demonstrate that the thin-film hydration method can be used for the formulation of pluronic-surfactant hybrid nanoparticles, which in turn exhibit favorable characteristics in terms of their possible use in drug delivery applications. This investigation can be used as a road map for the selection of an appropriate nanosystem as a novel vehicle for drug delivery.

One pot synthesis of bio-based porous isocyanate-free polyurethane materials

In the current study, synthesis of porous isocyanate-free polyurethane materials derived from xylose is reported through a one-pot process, and the impact of varying amounts of crosslinker is studied. The synthesized materials were characterized using various techniques. The formation of the urethane bridge was confirmed using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectra that exhibited characteristic bands around 1700 cm−1, 1600 cm−1, and 3400 cm−1. The characteristic peak observed at 21◦ (2θvalue) in Powder X-ray (PXRD) diffractogram further confirms the synthesis of segmented polyurethane porous materials. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) thermograms indicate that thermal stability and glass transition temperature (Tg) of synthesized non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) materials increase with increase in the amount of crosslinker. The increase in Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) values with an increment in the amount of crosslinker suggests improvement in flame retardant behavior of NIPU material due to formation of highly crosslinked network in the polyurethane matrix. These porous NIPU materials align well with the principles of sustainable development.

Electron beam irradiation application for improving the multiscale structure and enhancing physicochemical and digestive properties of acetylated naked barley

The study used electron beam (EB) irradiation pretreatment to prepare acetylated (AC) naked barley starch. EB pretreatment enhanced the degree of substitution in acetylation from 0.027 to 0.109 %. The starch granules treated with EB and AC had a rough surface but maintained integrity. EB depolymerized the starch structure, providing opportunities for molecular rearrangement, thereby increasing the efficiency in the subsequent acetylation process. Therefore, EB pretreatment decreased AC starch amylose content (27.82 to 21.61 %), amylopectin molecular weight, relative crystallinity (31.04 to 26.23 %), short-range order, and increased amylose molecular weight comparing EB or AC-treated alone. These structural changes improve the properties of starch; thus, EB pretreatment reduced the thermal transition temperature, gelatinization enthalpy, pasting parameters, rapidly-digestible starch content (67.09–51.74 %), solubility, and improved content of slowly-digestible starch (23.82–36.65 %) and resistant starch (9.09–11.62 %). EB pretreatment can enhance efficiency and improve the structure and performance of acetylated modified starch.

The interaction study of soluble pectin fiber and surimi protein network from silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) based on a new prediction model

Pure surimi of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) cannot meet the texture requirements in novel 3D printing of food. In this work, the effect mechanism of adding soluble pectin fiber on the quality of surimi was studied at molecular scale, and the interaction has been discussed by a novel prediction model. In comparison with pure surimi, pH and water-holding capacity decreased with increasing pectin, and texture properties improved. The storage modulus firstly rose and then decreased, reaching a maximum value of 15012 Pa at 0.5 % pectin addition. The thermal transition temperature of myosin was moved from 52.13 to 49.80 °C. Pectin extended the T22 relaxation time, suggesting a decrease in immobilized water. A new Time-series prediction model and interaction analysis further explored the intrinsic correlation of various parameters of surimi with different pectin additions. This work contributes to add our understanding of pectin application in surimi products in future special dietary food.

Tailoring of thermal expansion and phase transition temperature of ZrW2O8 with phosphorus and enhancement of negative thermal expansion of ZrW1.5P0.5O7.75

ZrW2O8 is a typical isotropic negative thermal expansion material with cubic structure. However, quenching preparation, pressure phase transition and metastable structure influence its practical applications. Adopting P to part-substitute W for ZrW2−x P x O8–0.5x has decreased the sintering temperature and avoided the quenching process. When x = 0.1, ZrW1.9P0.1O7.95 with a stable cubic structure can be obtained at 1150 °C. The thermal expansion coefficient is tailored with the P content, and phase transition temperature is lowered. When x = 0.5, thermal expansion coefficient attains −13.6 × 10−6 °C−1, ZrW1.5P0.5O7.75 exhibits enhance negative thermal expansion property. The difference of electronegativity leads to the decrease of phase transition temperature with the increase of P content. The different radii of ions lead to new structure of materials when P substitutes more. The results suggest that the P atom plays the stabilization role in the crystal structure of ZrW2−x P x O8–0.5x .

In situ synthesis of MAPbX3 perovskite quantum dot-polycaprolactone composites for fluorescent 3D printing filament

The development of functionalized polymer-based filament enables the fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D-printed materials or structures with a wide range of unique functions. This work explores the use of MAPbX3 (MA = CH3NH3, X = Cl, Br, I or mixture of them) perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) by harnessing their unique optical properties for the development of fluorescent 3D printing filaments. Firstly, a one-pot strategy for scalable synthesis of MAPbX3 PQDs-polycaprolactone (PCL) composite was proposed by in situ formation of PQDs in PCL matrix. To demonstrate the ability for the obtained PQDs-PCL composites to fabricate fluorescent filaments, the effects of filament functionalization on optical properties of PQDs, as well as thermal and mechanical properties of polymer matrix were then comprehensively studied. Owing to the good protective capability of PCL, the synthesized PQDs-PCL composites exhibit comparable PLQY and enhanced UV, water and thermal stability compared to that of pure PQDs. Moreover, high concentration of embedded PQDs in PQDs-PCL composites was obtained with decreasing amount of PCL. The aggregation of PQDs at high temperature combined with the poor interaction between PQDs and surrounding PCL matrix led to the decreased thermal transition temperature and reduced mechanical properties in PQDs-PCL composites relative to pure PCL. The glass transition temperature was found to decrease by 5.5 °C, while the mode of failure changed from plastic fracture for pure PCL to brittle fracture for the highest concentration of PQDs in PCL tested. Consequently, PQD-PCL composites were further processed into fluorescent filaments and further fluorescent objects or structures via 3D printing. Green LED and white LED devices were realized by the combination of UV LED chip with 3D printed MAPbBr3 PQD-PCL thin-film, and blue LED chip with MAPbBr3 PQD-PCL thin-film and K2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphor, respectively, demonstrating that the PQDs-functionalized 3D printing filaments have great potential in fields of optoelectronic application.

Exploiting PET-RAFT polymerization mediated by cross-linked zinc porphyrins for the thermo-sensitive regulation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-b-acrylamide)

A series of thermo-sensitive block copolymers poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-b-acrylamide) (P(NIPAm-b-AM)) are prepared via photoinduced electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization mediated by the cross-linked zinc porphyrins (ZnTHP-Me2Si) with superior photo-catalytic properties using one-pot method. The thermal transition temperatures of P(NIPAm-b-AM) samples are analyzed via lower critical solution temperature (LCST) measurements in water/P(NIPAm-b-AM) mixtures, which show that the thermo-sensitive of P(NIPAm-b-AM) could be tuned by regulating the molar ratio of AM/NIPAm. Very interestingly, when the mole fraction of AM increased from 0 to 0.4, the LCST and water contact angle of P(NIPAm-b-AM) aqueous solution increased linearly, which means the thermo-sensitive polymers with target LCST or hydrophilicity could be prepared by increasing or decreasing AM content. In addition, the hardness of P(NIPAm-b-AM) also enhanced as the AM content increased. According to the density functional theory (DFT) calculations and radial distribution function (RDF) analyses, ZnTHP-Me2Si has smaller energy gap, and the H-bonding interaction between P(NIPAm-b-AM) and water molecules could be enhanced with increasing AM content. The outcomes of this work open new approaches to develop thermo-sensitive polymers with biocompatibility for the wide applications in highly efficient and controlled drug delivery system.

Comparative study on the mechanical and thermal properties of polycarbonate composites reinforced by KH570/SA/SDBS modified wollastonite fibers

AbstractIn order to increase the applicability of wollastonite (Wo) in polycarbonate (PC) polymer, surface modification of Wo was carried out using different modifiers containing silane coupling agent KH570, stearic acid (SA), and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The physical, physic‐chemical, and application properties of modified Wo were evaluated. Results showed that KH570 modified Wo had narrower particle size distribution, higher absolute zeta potential and were more evenly distributed. Scanning electron microscope study confirmed their changes in morphology and aspect ratio during the modification process. The tensile strength of Wo/PC composites, in which KH570‐modified Wo was used were superior to those in which original Wo or other modifiers modified samples were used. The maximum tensile strength of 65 ± 1 MPa was obtained by adding 15 wt% KH570‐modified Wo. Thermal analysis indicated that adding Wo to the polycarbonate increased the residue content but decreased the thermal decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature slightly, regardless of unmodified or modified Wo. These results indicated that the well‐modified Wo mineral had the potential to replace expensive carbon and glass fibers as fillers in polycarbonate products.

Synthesis of novel methacrylate‐based nanocomposites containing ZnO via the hydrothermal method and determination of thermal, optical, and biocidal properties

AbstractIn this work, the hydrothermal method was used to prepare nanocomposites of a new methacrylate polymer (PFPAMA) carrying the aryl fluoro group in the side branch and containing different mass ratios (1%, 3%, and 5%) of nano ZnO. Morphological and structural properties of the PFPAMA‐ZnO nanocomposites were determined via scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet (UV), and X‐ray diffraction, whereas the thermal properties of the nanocomposites were determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The obtained results showed that the thermal stability and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites had increased with the increase in the amount of ZnO. Thermal degradation activation energies (Ea) of the nanocomposites were calculated via non‐isothermal TGA experiments using the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose methods. Both calculated Ea values were compatible with each other and increased in parallel with the ZnO increases. The UV measurements showed that the ZnO nanoparticles added to the PFPAMA played an important role as a UV barrier, and thus expanding the potential applications of the PFPAMA polymer. Finally, the biological activities of the PFPAMA/ZnO nanocomposites against Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria were also tested.

Kinetics features of 2D confined Ge2Sb2Te5 ultrathin film

Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) films of 7 nm thickness in the multilayer structure of [GST 7 nm/W 6 nm]20 have been fabricated, and their crystallization kinetics is studied via ultrafast differential scanning calorimetry and a generalized Mauro–Yue–Ellison–Gupta–Allan viscosity model. A distinct fragile-to-strong crossover (FSC) transition behavior, which is beneficial to balance the contradiction between good thermal stability nearby glass transition temperature Tg and fast crystal crystallization speed around melting temperature, is found in this 2D confined GST ultrathin film with the FSC transition temperature of 1.25 Tg. The above analyses are helpful to understand the kinetics features of an ultrathin GST material in a low-dimensional phase-change device for neuro-inspired in-memory computing.

Enhanced thermal stability and impact strength of phenolic formaldehyde resin using acid‐treated basalt scales

AbstractIn this study, phenolic formaldehyde (PF) resin‐based composites were prepared using basalt scale (BS) as a reinforcing agent via a melting‐blending method. The BS surface was treated with hydrochloric acid, and the surface properties were characterized using thermal field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Moreover, the influence of acid‐treated BS (H‐BS) content on the thermal properties, flexural properties, impact strength, and morphology of PF/H‐BS composites was investigated. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature of the composites increased significantly with the increasing H‐BS content. The impact strength tests indicated that the impact strength of the composite with 15 wt% H‐BS was 0.66 kJ/m2, which is 153% higher than that of pristine PF. The scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the PF/H‐BS composites exhibit rough morphology with numerous microcracks.

Formulation and characterization of plant-based egg white analogs using RuBisCO protein

RuBisCO protein, which can be isolated from abundant and sustainable plant sources, can mimic some of the desirable functional attributes of egg white proteins. In this study, plant-based egg white analogs were successfully produced using 10 w% RuBisCO solutions (pH 8). These protein solutions had similar apparent viscosity-shear rate profiles, shear modulus-temperature profiles, gelling temperatures, and final gel strengths as egg white. However, there were some differences. RuBisCO protein gels were slightly darker than egg white, which was attributed to the presence of phenolic impurities. Moreover, RuBisCo proteins exhibited a single thermal transition temperature (∼66 °C) whereas egg white proteins exhibited two (∼66 and ∼81 °C). RuBisCO gels were more brittle but less chewy and resilient than egg white gels. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of RuBisCO protein for formulating plant-based egg white analogs.

Construction of biomass-based AIEgens with dehydroabietic acid triarylamine and tetraphenylethene Moieties for non-doped OLEDs

Dehydroabietic acid triarylamine (DTPA) synthesized from renewable natural rosin is an excellent hole-transporting material but is affected by aggregation-caused quenching in the solid state. Herein, two new biomass-based AIE luminogens (AIEgens), namely DTPA-TPE and 2DTPA-TPE, were synthesized through the attachment of DTPA to tetraphenylethene (TPE). Their aggregates in poor solvents and thin films have a strong emission with a fluorescence quantum yield of up to 67.4%. DTPA AIEgens exhibit superior thermal and morphological stability, showing high thermal degradation (T5d up to 412.0 °C) and glass transition (Tg up to 150.8 °C) temperatures. Electroluminescence (EL) devices with compounds used either as emitting layers (EMLs) or as EMLs and hole-transporting layers (HTLs) were constructed. The device with 2DTPA-TPE as the EML exhibits the best performance (turn-on voltage of 2.4 V, maximum luminance of 12,414 cd m−2, current efficiency of 6.2 cd A−1, and power efficiency of 6.5 lm W−1). The devices without the HTL (N,N′-di-1-naphthyl-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine (NPB)) exhibit performances comparable with or better than those of the devices with NPB. These results indicate that these compounds are promising luminescent materials for non-doped organic light-emitting diodes.

Characterization and chemical modification of pullulan produced from a submerged culture of Aureobasidium pullulans ATCC 15233

In this paper, the pullulan produced by A. pullulans ATCC 15233 was characterized and chemically modified. The pullulan derivative was synthesized with an acetylation reaction with a degree of substitution (DS) of 2.90. Its structural elucidation was performed using infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed signs of α (1–4) and α (1–6) glycosidic bonds, typical of pullulan. The molecular weight (MW) of pullulan was 93.47 kDa. The thermal analysis conducted indicated increased thermal stability (Td) and glass transition temperature (Tg) due to acetylation. Homogeneous morphologies of the samples under analysis were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties of the pullulan film exhibited tensile strength (TS) values of 1.70 ± 0.48 MPa and an elongation at break (% E) of 11.89%. Likewise, the pullulan acetate film recorded a TS of 1.23 ± 0.09 MPa and a % E of 1.25%. The results suggest that the physicochemical properties of biosynthesized pullulan and pullulan derivatives can be considered in the development of biomaterials.

Experimental study on thermotropic side-chain liquid crystalline photo-sensitive polymers

When the chalcone moiety and methylene spacers are bonded to polymer backbone, they are expected to incorporate photosensitive and liquid crystalline properties, respectively. The thermotropic side-chain liquid crystalline photosensitive polymers were synthesized using 4-phenyl styryl carbonyl (phenyl-4-oxy-4-hexyl) methacrylate (PSCPOHMA) and 4-phenyl styryl carbonyl (phenyl-4-oxy-4-decyl) methacrylate (PSCPODMA) monomers by free-radical polymerization using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. The structures of the synthesized monomers and polymers were confirmed by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR techniques. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature of the poly (PSCPOHMA) were higher than that of the poly (PSCPODMA). The photocrosslinking of the polymers on irradiation with UV light established that the polymers followed 2π + 2π cyclo addition. The rate of crosslinking increased with increase in the length of the methylene chain. The mesophase of the polymers was also characterized using x-ray diffraction analysis. The liquid crystalline behavior of the polymers was confirmed by DSC and Hot stage optical polarized microscopy (HOPM).The polymers exhibited nematic phase in HOPM. So the polymers have high potential for application in photo resists and electro optic technology.

Dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma combined with cross-linking: An innovative way to modify the multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties of corn starch

Cold plasma is a low-cost, simple and green method for starch modification. In the present study, the impact of corn starch modification by cold plasma (CP, 1, 3 and 9 min), sodium trimetaphosphate/sodium tripolyphosphate (CL, 1 %, 5 % and 10 %) and their combination were investigated. CP-pretreatment had enhancement of phosphorus content and substitution degree. Neither CP nor CL destroyed the starch granules morphology. Instead, CP induced more short-chain to better rearrange the starch during the crosslinking process, which improved the efficiency of the crosslinker in the subsequent crosslinking process. Therefore, compared with CL or CP, the thermal transition temperatures increased after CP pretreatment, while the amylose content, relative crystallinity, swelling power, and △H decreased. Meanwhile, CP-pretreatment changed the internal structure of the CL-starch so that it showed the lowest enzymatic digestibility. CP pretreatment provides a promising way to improve cross-linked starch's structure, properties, and efficiency.

Structural and luminescence characteristics of thermally stable Dy3+ doped oxyfluoride strontium zinc borosilicate glasses for photonic device applications

Structural, thermal, and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of a series of Dy3+ doped Oxyfluoride Strontium Zinc Borosilicate (OFSZBS) glasses have been investigated. The XRD of 1.0 mol% Dy3+ ions doped OFSZBS glass and FT-IR investigations conducted on an un-doped as well as all the Dy3+ ions doped OFSZBS glasses confirm the non-crystalline nature and distinct functional groups present in it respectively. The Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) thermogram recorded for an un-doped OFSZBS glass reveals thermal stability (ΔT) and transition temperature (Tg). The optical band gaps were computed using the Tau'c method. Under 348 nm pumping wavelengths, the Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the as-synthesized OFSZBSDy glass samples exhibit blue (450 nm), yellow (575 nm), and red (650 nm) color transitions. The PL intensity increases with Dy3+ ions concentration up to 1 mol% and after that intensity decreases due to the concentration quenching effect. The PL decay profiles reported at higher concentrations were best fitted to the Inokuti-Hirayama (I-H) model for s = 6, indicating the energy transfer process as dipole–dipole in nature. The result obtained from the I-H model is in consonance with that of Dexter's theory. At 448 K, the PL intensity is up to 85% of room temperature, indicating that the as-synthesized glasses have exceptional thermal stability. Relatively higher values of quantum efficiency (η), emission cross-sectional area (σse), and probability of radiative transition (AR) observed for 1 mol% Dy3+ ions doped OFSZBS glasses declare their suitability in photonic devices under n-UV/blue pumping wavelength.

Synthesis of a Curing Agent Derived from Limonene and the Study of Its Performance to Polymerize a Biobased Epoxy Resin Using the Epoxy/Thiol-Ene Photopolymerization Technique.

This study describes the synthesis of a curing agent derived from limonene as well as its application to prepare biobased thermoset polymers via the epoxy/thiol-ene photopolymerization (ETE) method. A biobased commercial epoxy resin was used to synthesize a crosslinked polymeric matrix of polyether-polythioether type. The preparation of the curing agent required two steps. First, a diamine intermediate was prepared by means of a thiol-ene coupling reaction between limonene and cysteamine hydrochloride. Second, the primary amino groups of the intermediate compound were alkylated using allyl bromide. The obtained ditertiary amine-functionalized limonene compound was purified and characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopies along with GC-MS. The curing agent was formulated with a tetrafunctional thiol in stoichiometric ratio, and a photoinitiator at 1 mol % concentration, as the components of a thiol-ene system (TES). Two formulations were prepared in which molar concentrations of 30 and 40 mol % of the TES were added to the epoxy resin. The kinetics of the ETE photopolymerizations were determined by means of Real-Time FTIR spectroscopy, which demonstrated high reactivity by observing photopolymerization rates in the range of 1.50–2.25 s−1 for the epoxy, double bonds and thiol groups. The obtained polymers were analyzed by thermal and thermo-mechanical techniques finding glass transition temperatures (Tg) of 60 °C and 52 °C for the polymers derived from the formulations with 30 mol % and 40 mol % of TES, respectively. Potential applications for these materials can be foreseen in the area of coatings.