Effect of molecular chain structure of the cured epoxy resin containing hyperbranched (3-hydroxyphenyl) phosphate on expansion and flame retardance

Enhancement of Epoxy Thermosets with Hyperbranched and Multiarm Star Polymers: A Review

Hyperbranched polymers and multiarm star polymers are a type of dendritic polymers which have attracted substantial interest during the last 30 years because of their unique properties. They can be used to modify epoxy thermosets to increase their toughness and flexibility but without adversely affecting other properties such as reactivity or thermal properties. In addition, the final properties of materials can be tailored by modifying the structure, molecular weight, or type of functional end-groups of the hyperbranched and multiarm star polymers. In this review, we focus on the modification of epoxy-based thermosets with hyperbranched and multiarm star polymers in terms of the effect on the curing process of epoxy formulations, thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties, and their advantages in fire retardancy on the final thermosets.

Aromatic vs. Aliphatic Hyperbranched Polyphosphoesters as Flame Retardants in Epoxy Resins

The current trend for future flame retardants (FRs) goes to novel efficient halogen-free materials, due to the ban of several halogenated FRs. Among the most promising alternatives are phosphorus-based FRs, and of those, polymeric materials with complex shape have been recently reported. Herein, we present novel halogen-free aromatic and aliphatic hyperbranched polyphosphoesters (hbPPEs), which were synthesized by olefin metathesis polymerization and investigated them as a FR in epoxy resins. We compare their efficiency (aliphatic vs. aromatic) and further assess the differences between the monomeric compounds and the hbPPEs. The decomposition and vaporizing behavior of a compound is an important factor in its flame-retardant behavior, but also the interaction with the pyrolyzing matrix has a significant influence on the performance. Therefore, the challenge in designing a FR is to optimize the chemical structure and its decomposition pathway to the matrix, with regards to time and temperature. This behavior becomes obvious in this study, and explains the superior gas phase activity of the aliphatic FRs.

Synthesis and Properties of Nitrogen Heterocycle-Functionalized Core-Shell Hyperbranched Polyester

Core-shell hyperbranched polyesters (HBPE) of third generation prepared from 2,2′-bis (hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (Bis-MPA) as an ABx monomer and N-heterocyclic (indole, piperidine and piperazine) phosphoryl dichloride as a core molecule by melt condensation process. These polymers were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, elemental analysis, and MALDI spectroscopy. The thermal behavior of the polymers has been investigated by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). There is no weight loss observed until 250 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. DSC showed that the glass transition temperatures was about −14 and −30 °C for the prepared core-shell HBPE. The dielectric properties such as dielectric constant and loss factor for these polyesters were also studied with respect to change of frequency (50 Hz to 5 MHz).