@article{
author = "Stajčić, Ivana and Veljković, Filip and Petrović, Miloš and Veličković, Suzana and Radojević, Vesna and Vlahović, Branislav and Stajčić, Aleksandar",
year = "2023",
abstract = "High performance polymers with bio-based modifiers are promising materials in terms of
applications and environmental impact. In this work, raw acacia honey was used as a bio-modifier
for epoxy resin, as a rich source of functional groups. The addition of honey resulted in the formation
of highly stable structures that were observed in scanning electron microscopy images as separate
phases at the fracture surface, which were involved in the toughening of the resin. Structural changes
were investigated, revealing the formation of a new aldehyde carbonyl group. Thermal analysis
confirmed the formation of products that were stable up to 600 ◦C, with a glass transition temperature
of 228 ◦C. An energy-controlled impact test was performed to compare the absorbed impact energy of
bio-modified epoxy containing different amounts of honey with unmodified epoxy resin. The results
showed that bio-modified epoxy resin with 3 wt% of acacia honey could withstand several impacts
with full recovery, while unmodified epoxy resin broke at first impact. The absorbed energy at first
impact was 2.5 times higher for bio-modified epoxy resin than it was for unmodified epoxy resin.
In this manner, by using simple preparation and a raw material that is abundant in nature, a novel
epoxy with high thermal and impact resistance was obtained, opening a path for further research in
this field.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "Polymers",
title = "Impact- and Thermal-Resistant Epoxy Resin Toughened with Acacia Honey",
volume = "15",
number = "10",
pages = "2261",
doi = "10.3390/polym15102261"
}