Bio-based phthalonitrile compounds: Synthesis, curing behavior, thermomechanical and thermal properties

An examination of recent research of water absorption behavior of natural fiber reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites: A review

Researchers have begun focusing on developing biodegradable materials, such as natural fiber/polymer composites (NFPC), since the growing of environmental concerns related to waste management. One crucial aspect that must be established in the development of these composites is their water-absorption behavior. This paper examines the water absorption (WA) behavior of NFPC, with a specific emphasis on natural fiber/polylactic acid (PLA) composites. It discusses processes and numerous aspects related to this behavior, based on recent published research. This review analyzes the influence of several factors, such as the loading of natural fiber, the combination of different natural fibers, the methods used in manufacturing, and the temperature of the water, on the WA behavior of natural fiber/PLA composites. It also explores how WA affects the properties of these composites. In addition, this review also presented techniques for improving the WA resistance of the composites. This review paper provides researchers with insights into the WA behavior of the composites, aiming to facilitate the development of a versatile and eco-friendly material that may effectively address waste disposal challenges.

Bio-Based Valorization of Lignin-Derived Phenolic Compounds: A Review

Lignins are the most abundant biopolymers that consist of aromatic units. Lignins are obtained by fractionation of lignocellulose in the form of "technical lignins". The depolymerization (conversion) of lignin and the treatment of depolymerized lignin are challenging processes due to the complexity and resistance of lignins. Progress toward mild work-up of lignins has been discussed in numerous reviews. The next step in the valorization of lignin is the conversion of lignin-based monomers, which are limited in number, into a wider range of bulk and fine chemicals. These reactions may need chemicals, catalysts, solvents, or energy from fossil resources. This is counterintuitive to green, sustainable chemistry. Therefore, in this review, we focus on biocatalyzed reactions of lignin monomers, e.g., vanillin, vanillic acid, syringaldehyde, guaiacols, (iso)eugenol, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and alkylphenols. For each monomer, its production from lignin or lignocellulose is summarized, and, mainly, its biotransformations that provide useful chemicals are discussed. The technological maturity of these processes is characterized based on, e.g., scale, volumetric productivities, or isolated yields. The biocatalyzed reactions are compared with their chemically catalyzed counterparts if the latter are available.

Development of Hybrid Composite Utilizing Micro-Cellulose Fibers Extracted from Date Palm Rachis in the Najran Region

Environmental effects can be reduced by using renewable resources in various applications. The date palm fibers (DPF) used in this study were extracted from waste date ranches of the Najran region by retting and manual peeling processes. The biocomposites were developed by reinforcing the silane-treated DPF (SDPF) at different wt.% in eugenol phthalonitrile (EPN) and difunctional benzoxazine (BA-a) copolymer. The impact strength, tensile, flexural, and dynamic mechanical properties and thermogravimetric analysis were evaluated to understand the mechanical, thermomechanical, and thermal properties. Results confirmed that 30 wt.% SDPF-reinforced poly (EPN/BA-a) composites produced the highest mechanical and thermomechanical properties, and were considered optimized SDPF reinforcement. Furthermore, hybrid composites with 30 wt.% SDPF and 15 wt.% silane-treated glass fibers (SGF) reinforcement having different lamination sequences were also studied. The lamination sequences showed a significant impact on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties, as properties were further enhanced by adding a core layer of SGF in hybrid composites. However, the thermal properties of SDPF/SGF laminates were higher than SDPF biocomposites, but the SGF lamination sequence did not produce any impact. According to the limiting oxygen and heat resistance indexes, the developed SDPF/SGF laminates are self-extinguishing materials and can be used in temperature-tolerant applications up to 230 °C.

A Pyridazine-Containing Phthalonitrile Resin for Heat-Resistant and Flame-Retardant Polymer Materials

In this study, a novel phthalonitrile monomer containing a pyridazine ring, 3,6-bis[3-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenoxy]pyridazine (BCPD) with a low melting point (74 °C) and wide processing window (178 °C), was prepared by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The molecular structure of the BCPD monomer was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Poly(BCPD) resins were derived from the formulations by curing at 350 and 370 °C. The thermoset that was post-cured at 370 °C demonstrated outstanding high heat-resistant (glass transition temperature (Tg) > 400 °C, 5% weight loss temperature (T5%) = 501 °C, Yc at 900 °C > 74%) and was flame-retardant (limiting oxygen index (LOI) = 48)). Further, the poly(BCPD) resin simultaneously exhibited a superior storage modulus, which could reach up to 3.8 Gpa at room temperature. Excellent processability and heat resistance were found for phthalonitrile thermosets containing the pyridazine ring, indicating poly(BCPD) resin could be potentially applied as high-temperature structural composite matrices.

Novel self-promoted phthalonitrile monomer with siloxane segments: synthesis, curing kinetics, and thermal properties

In the study, we synthesize a novel auto-catalytic phthalonitrile monomer containing siloxane segments and secondary amino groups. The phthalonitrile monomer has good processability. And the new polymer shows a higher Tg.

Sustainable and Ecofriendly Chemical Design of High Performance Bio-Based Thermosets for Advanced Applications

High performance thermosetting resins are targeted in many exigent applications, such as aerospace and marine fields, for the development of lightweight structural composites. Till now, these industries only rely on petroleum-based materials for their supposedly better performances. However, the latest developments in the field suggest otherwise. In fact, many reports confirmed that sustainable and ecofriendly thermosetting polymers can display similar or even better performances. Additionally, exploring alternative renewable feedstock's to meet the ever increasing demands of these industries is an essential step towards sustainable development. Aiming to unravel the potential of these materials, the present review summarizes the most relevant chemical routes allowing the preparation of fully or partially bio-based thermosetting resins. Meanwhile, the overall performances of these exceptional materials are also compared with their petroleum-based counterparts.

A new molecular design platform for high-performance polymers from versatile bio-based tyramine: a case study of tyramine-derived phthalonitrile resin

Tyramine was first introduced into high-performance polymers as a promising monomer platform; the derived phthalonitrile resin exhibits excellent thermal stability and a high T_g value.

Synthesis and properties of phthalonitrile-based resins containing spirocycle acetal

Designing novel low-melting, high-rigidity phthalonitrile resin is of great significance in the current context of development. In this study, rigid spirocycle acetal structure was introduced into phthalonitrile to reduce the melting point and maintain their thermal stability. The chemical structure of resins was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The curing behaviors were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal stability and mechanical properties of the cured resins were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The processability was studied by rheological analysis. The results indicated the three monomers had a low melting temperature, wide processing windows and low viscosities. These polymers did not exhibit Tg from room temperature to 400°C, exhibited superb dynamic mechanical property and thermal stability.

Synthesis of ortho-methyltetrahydrophthalimide functional benzoxazine containing phthalonitrile group: Thermally activated polymerization behaviors and properties of its polymer

Two novel benzoxazine monomers, oHMTI-a and oHMTI-pn, have been obtained via the modified Mannich condensation from ortho-4-methyltetrahydrophalimide functional phenol, paraformaldehyde, and aniline/4-aminophthalonitrile, respectively. The chemical structures of both benzoxazine monomers have been studied by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Their polymerization processes are investigated using in-situ FT-IR and different scanning calorimetry (DSC). Specifically, the phthalonitrile group in oHMTI-pn can react at a relatively lower temperature without adding any catalysts, which suggests the presence of the thermal synergistic polymerization effect in this benzoxazine monomer. In addition, the thermal and fire related properties of the resulting polybenzoxazines are evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and micro-scale combustion calorimetry (MCC). The polybenzoxazine derived from oHMTI-pn shows both high thermal stability and outstanding flame retardancy, with a T g of 350°C, a T d10 value of 417°C, a high char yield value of 65%, and a very low heat release capacity value of 35.2 J/(g·K).

Novolac/Phenol-Containing Phthalonitrile Blends: Curing Characteristics and Composite Mechanical Properties

The phenol-containing phthalonitrile resin is a kind of self-curing phthalonitrile resin with high-temperature resistance and excellent properties. However, the onefold phthalonitrile resin is unattainable to cured completely, and the brittleness of the cured product is non-negligible. This paper focuses on solving the above problems by blending novolac resin into phenol-containing phthalonitrile. Under the action of abundant hydroxyl group, the initial curing temperature and gelation time at 170 °C decrease by 88 °C and 2820 s, respectively, monitored by DSC and rheological analysis. FT-IR spectra of copolymers showed that the addition of novolac increased the conversion rate of nitrile. When the novolac mass fraction is 10%, the peak of nitrile group disappears, which means the complete reaction. The mechanical test of blends composites shows that the maximum fracture strain of 10 wt% novolac addition is 122% higher than those of neat phthalonitrile composites on account of the introduction of flexible novolac chain segments. The mechanical properties are sensitive to elevated post-cured temperature; this is consistent with the result of morphological investigation using SEM. Finally, the dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the glass transition temperature heightened with the increase of novolac content and post-curing temperature.

Synthesis and properties of a novel high-temperature vinylpyridine-based phthalonitrile polymer

A novel vinylpyridine-based phthalonitrile monomer, 2,6-bis[3-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)styryl]pyridine (BDSP), was resoundingly produced by a nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2,6-bis(3-hydroxystyryl)pyridine with 4-nitrophthalonitrile in the presence of potassium carbonate. The chemical structure of the synthesized BDSP was confirmed by proton (1H) and carbon (12C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The curing behavior of BDSP was investigated by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The resin showed a low complex viscosity in the wide processing window between the monomer melting temperature and the curing temperature of the polymer, as discovered by rheological analysis. In addition, the properties of the polymer were studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Based on the test results, the BDSP polymer demonstrated superior processing performance, excellent thermal stability, outstanding mechanical properties, and low water uptake, and these advanced performance characteristics are critical to many fields.