Comparative Study on the Properties of Epoxy Derived from Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Compounds: The Role of Hydrogen Bonding

Closed-loop recyclability of a biomass-derived epoxy-amine thermoset by methanolysis

Epoxy resin thermosets (ERTs) are an important class of polymeric materials. However, owing to their highly cross-linked nature, they suffer from poor recyclability, which contributes to an unacceptable level of environmental pollution. There is a clear need for the design of inherently recyclable ERTs that are based on renewable resources. We present the synthesis and closed-loop recycling of a fully lignocellulose-derivable epoxy resin (DGF/MBCA), prepared from dimethyl ester of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (DMFD), 4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine) (MBCA), and glycidol, which displays excellent thermomechanical properties (a glass transition temperature of 170°C, and a storage modulus at 25°C of 1.2 gigapascals). Notably, the material undergoes methanolysis in the absence of any catalyst, regenerating 90% of the original DMFD. The diamine MBCA and glycidol can subsequently be reformed by acetolysis. Application and recycling of DGF/MBCA in glass and plant fiber composites are demonstrated.

Recent advances in the development of green furan ring-containing polymeric materials based on renewable plant biomass

Fossil resources are rapidly depleting, forcing researchers in various fields of chemistry and materials science to switch to the use of renewable sources and the development of corresponding technologies. In this regard, the field of sustainable materials science is experiencing an extraordinary surge of interest in recent times due to the significant advances made in the development of new polymers with desired and controllable properties. This review summarizes important scientific reports in recent times dedicated to the synthesis, construction and computational studies of novel sustainable polymeric materials containing unchanged (pseudo)aromatic furan cores in their structure. Linear polymers for thermoplastics, branched polymers for thermosets and other crosslinked materials are emerging materials to highlight. Various polymer blends and composites based on sustainable polyfurans are also considered as pathways to achieve high-value-added products.

Molecular Compatibility and Hydrogen Bonding Mechanism of PES/PEI Blends

The development of high-performance polymer membranes has sparked a lot of attention in recent years. Polymer blending is a potential method of modification. A limitation, however, is the compatibility of blends at the molecular level. In this investigation, polyethersulfone/polyetherimide hollow fiber membranes were prepared by the solution blending method. Compatibility, hydrogen bonding, crystallinity, microstructure, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and transmissibility of blended membranes were also characterized. The compatibility and hydrogen bonding action of the two components were confirmed by DSC, FTIR, XPS, and XRD. The structure exhibits a C−H···O interaction motif with the sulfone group acting as a hydrogen bond acceptor from a methyl C−H donor. The π–π stacking between the two polymers arranged molecules more orderly, resulting in enhanced intermolecular interactions. Compared to polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes, the hydrophilic, mechanical properties, and rejection rate of the blended membranes are more effectively enhanced. Self-assembly of the host polymer with a polymer capable of forming hydrogen bonds to construct controllable blends is a crucial and proven method.

End-Terminated Poly(urethane-urea) Hybrid Approach toward Nanoporous/Microfilament Morphology

In the present work, the effect of heteroatomic hydrogen bonding on the properties of -OH/-NH-terminated soft-segment-free polymers, viz, polyurethane (P-UT), polyurea (P-UR), and their hybrid (P-UT-UR), is explored. P-UT was synthesized from phloroglucinol and P-UR was synthesized from 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine by employing hexamethylene diisocyanate as a counterpart. P-UT exhibited a spherulitic structure with varying sizes, whereas P-UR displayed a fibrillar structure characteristic as that of crystalline hard segments. The P-UT-UR hybrid exhibited a fine nanospherulitic structure with a high order of interconnectivity. Negative surface skewness values of -0.47 and -0.18 were measured (by AFM) for P-UT and P-UT-UR, respectively, which revealed that the surface is not smooth and is covered with features. Due to the increased H-bonding (-N-H···O-H) in P-UT-UR, its transparency decreased. A block copolymer hybrid of urethane-urea was synthesized, which preferred homoatomic H-bonding, whereas random urethane/urea bridges favored hetreoheteroatom H-bonding. A pentafluorophenyl end-functional hybrid (PFI-P-UT-UR) was synthesized, which displayed filaments of ∼2-3 μm length in contrast to the interconnected nanospherulitic structure observed for P-UT-UR. The self-aggregation and end folding led to the formation of a filament structure. By altering the chemical structure slightly, nano-ordered polyurethanes or their hybrids can be achieved.

Interpretation of the mechanism of 3,3′-dichloro-4,4′-diamino diphenylmethane synthesis over HY zeolites

Catalytic activities of zeolites HY, Hβ and HZSM-5 in the heterogeneous synthesis of 3,3′-dichloro-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (MOCA) from o-chloroaniline and formaldehyde were pre-screened in an autoclave, and HY demonstrated better performance than others. Kinetic behaviors of MOCA synthesis over HY(11) were further investigated in a fixed bed continuous flow reactor, and under the conditions of the catalyst bed volume = 20 mL (8.14 g), n(o-chloroaniline) : n(HCHO) = 4 : 1, LHSV = 3.5 h⁻¹, 0.5 MPa and 443 K, HCHO conversion and MOCA selectivity steadily fluctuated at high levels of 90–92% and 75–77% during 16 h, respectively. Catalysts were characterized by BET, NH₃-TPD and XRD, products analyzed by HPLC, and reaction intermediates identified by LC/MS and ¹H NMR. The mechanism of MOCA synthesis has been interpreted in detail, which also suggested that deposition of basic intermediates on active sites and accumulation of polymeric by-products in pore channels of the catalyst could cause significant decay of HY(11) activity and selectivity under severe conditions. Supplementary tests on catalyst regeneration confirmed that the acidity and surface area of spent HY(11) could be well recovered after burning off the deposited by-products.

Catalytic activities of zeolites HY, Hβ and HZSM-5 in the heterogeneous synthesis of 3,3′-dichloro-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (MOCA) from o-chloroaniline and formaldehyde were pre-screened in an autoclave, and HY demonstrated better performance than others.