Thermal properties of polybenzoxazine exhibiting improved toughness: Blending with cyclodextrin and its derivatives

Polybenzoxazines are emerging as a class of high-performance thermoset polymers that can find their applications in various fields. However, its practical application is limited by its low toughness. The cyclic β-cyclodextrin and a newly synthesized derivative (β-cyclodextrin-MAH) were separately blended with benzoxazine to improve the toughness of polybenzoxazine. The results revealed that the maximum impact strength of the blend was 12.24 kJ·m−2 and 14.29 kJ·m−2 when 1 wt.% of β-Cyclodextrin and β-Cyclodextrin-MAH, respectively, were used. The strengths were 53% and 86% higher than that of pure polybenzoxazine. The curing reaction, possible chemical structures, and fractured surface were examined using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques to understand the mechanism of generation of toughness. The results revealed that the sea-island structure and the presence of hydrogen bonds between polybenzoxazine and β-cyclodextrin and β-cyclodextrin-MAH resulted in the generation of toughness. Furthermore, the curves generated during thermogravimetric analysis did not significantly change, revealing the good thermal properties of the system. The phase-separated structure and the hydrogen bonds present in the system can be exploited to prepare synergistically tough polybenzoxazine exhibiting excellent thermal properties. This can be a potential way of modifying the thermoset resins.

Benzoxazine Containing Fluorinated Aromatic Ether Nitrile Linkage: Preparation, Curing Kinetics and Dielectric Properties

Benzoxazine containing fluorinated aromatic ether nitrile linkage (FAEN-Bz) had been synthesized from 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile, 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol (bisphenol AF), 3-Aminophenol, formaldehyde, phenol by condensation polymerization and Mannich ring-forming reaction. Structures of the monomer were verified by Proton NMR spectrum (1H-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Curing behaviors and curing kinetics of designed monomers were investigated and discussed. The activation energy was calculated and possible polymerization mechanisms were also proposed. Then, properties of cured polymers including crosslinking degrees, thermal decomposition, surface wettability and energy, and dielectric properties were studied and discussed. Additionally, programmed integral decomposition temperature (IPDT) was also used to evaluate the thermal stability of final polymers. Results indicated that the incorporation of benzoxazine and nitrile resulted in increased thermal stability and char yields. Moreover, the surface wettability and dielectric properties of poly(FAEN-Bz) can be easily controlled by tuning the curing temperatures and time.

Toughening effect and mechanism of polyamide 12 and modified montmorillonite in polybenzoxazine resin

The mechanical properties of polybenzoxazine (PBa) resins were improved by adding polyamide 12 (PA12) and modified montmorillonite (OMMT) as additives. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of PBa and resulting PBa composites were investigated using an Instron universal material testing instrument and dynamic mechanical analysis. The morphologies of the fracture surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results of morphological studies showed that PBa/PA12/OMMT composites exhibit significantly improved mechanical properties and thermal stability compared with that of the pristine PBa. When the OMMT content increased to 1 wt%, the fracture toughness (1.36 MPa·m1/2) and the fracture energy (G IC, 315.76 J·m−2) of PBa/PA12/OMMT-1 composites increased by 67.9% and 181.4%, respectively, compared with those of the pristine PBa. The thermal stability properties demonstrated that the storage modulus and glass transition temperature (T g) of PBa/PA12/OMMT composites gradually increased with the addition of OMMT particles. The scanning electron microscopy results indicated that PBa/PA12/OMMT composites possess a toughening mechanism of crack deflection, with a large bulk of voids and debonding induced by PA12 and OMMT clay particles. Moreover, the OMMT might provide microvoid nucleating sites at its surface to release constrains for shear yielding.