Epoxidized Vegetable Oil Based Vitrimers: Future Perspective and Challenges

Epoxidized vegetable oils (EVOs) have emerged as a sustainable and versatile class of materials, enriched by their renewable origin and unique chemical structure. This comprehensive review examines the evolving landscape of EVO-based vitrimers, exploring their potential and challenges. The introduction of epoxy groups into vegetable oil triglycerides endows EVOs with properties such as high epoxide content, functional reactivity, and thermosetting behavior. These attributes, coupled with their renewability, make EVOs compelling candidates for a range of applications. We discuss the synthesis methods of EVO-based vitrimers, their mechanical and thermal characteristics, and potential applications in industries striving for sustainable alternatives. Despite their promise, challenges including reactivity, use of appropriate dynamic bonds and processing issues are examined. The environmental benefits and economic considerations of EVO-based vitrimers are also addressed. By providing insights into the future outlook and hurdles, this review contributes to advancing the utilization of EVO-based vitrimers in the pursuit of sustainable materials and technologies.