Characterization of catechol-containing natural thermosetting polymer "urushiol" thin film

Urushi (oriental lacquer) is made from the sap of Rhus vernicifera and consists mainly of the catechol derivative urushiol. Thermal curing of urushiol, unlike other catechol derivatives, is possible because of the unsaturated double bonds in the long hydrocarbon side chain. We described here a simple, efficient method to produce a thermally cross-linked urushi thin film using iron(II) acetate as the additive. The cured thin films showed robust, flexible feature as confirmed by strain-induced elastic buckling instability for mechanical measurements (SIEBIMM) and bulging experiments. In contrast, a thin film of poly(dopamine) that is a typical catechol derivative without long hydrocarbon side chain showed brittleness. The long hydrocarbon side chain of urushiol plays an important role for both thermal processability and superior mechanical properties of the material.