Preparation of thermosetting polyurethane nanocomposites by montmorillonite modified with a novel intercalation agent

A novel thermosetting polyurethane (TSPU)/organic montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposite has been synthesized. N‐diamino octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DODTMAC) was used as an intercalation agent to treat Na⁺‐montmorillonite (MMT) and form a novel kind of OMMT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data indicated that the MMT was successfully intercalated by this intercalation agent, as evidenced by the fact that the basal spacing of MMT galleries was expanded from 1.5 to 3.2 nm. This OMMT was used to prepare the TSPU nanocomposites. Both the reinforcing and compatibilizing performance of the filler were investigated. Tensile tests showed that the tensile strength of TSPU/OMMT‐4 was the highest, and was about 3.62 times higher than that of the pure TSPU, and also the elongation at break showed an enhancement. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements illustrated that the glass transition temperature of the TSPU/OMMT‐4 nanocomposite was improved from 0.5 to 6.5 °C, which corresponded to the restriction of the soft segments of TSPU. The highest initial and center temperatures of TSPU/OMMT‐4 obtained from TGA were due to the highest retard effect of the TSPU molecular chains. WAXD studies showed that the formation of the nanocomposites in all the cases with the almost disappearance of the peaks corresponding to the basal spacing of MMT. SEM and TEM were used to investigate the morphologies of the TSPU/OMMT‐4 nanocomposite, and demonstrated that the nanocomposite was comprised of a well dispersion of a mixture of intercalated and exfoliated silicate layers throughout the matrix. It was proposed that the nano‐reinforcing effect caused by the well‐dispersed silicate layers might reduce the amount and size of voids and increase the length of the crack‐spreading path during tensile drawing. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 519–531, 2007.     

Synthesis of soluble,thermosetting polymides derived from 1,4-phenylenebis(phenylmaleic anhydride) and aromatic diamines

The dianhydride monomer 1,4-phenylenebis(phenylmaleic anhydride) was polymerized with various aromatic diamines in a one-step solution polymerization to afford high molecular weight, soluble polyimides containing backbone phenylmaleimide structures. The polymides were soluble in amide solvents, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and tetrahydrofuran at 25°C at a concentration of 15% (w/v), displayed molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n) of 2.0–2.2 as determined by absolute GPC and showed T_g values of 240°C and above as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, polyimide thermosets were prepared from these materials by thermal cure at 350–360°C. The crosslinked polyimides displayed T_gs 20–25°C higher than their soluble precursors, and chloroform extraction indicated gel fractions ranging from 74–100% after cure. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Pharmacokinetics of timolol in aqueous humor sampled by microdialysis after topical administration of thermosetting gels

In order to develop a thermosetting gel-based formulation, the ocular pharmacokinetics of timolol was studied utilizing microdialysis sampling technique after topical administration. A linear microdialysis probe was characterized and implanted in the anterior chamber of a rabbit. Dialysate samples collected from the aqueous humor (AH) were directly injected into the HPLC system without any pre-treatment and no interference was observed in the blank sample. The measured in vitro recovery of the probe was 57.67%; however, the in vivo recovery significantly decreased to 16.78% when assessed by the retrodialysis method, which was used to calculate the timolol concentration in AH. Although in the initial 15 min the drug concentrations in AH were comparable to that of the timolol solution, increased Cmax and significantly improved ocular bioavailability were obtained for the gel. When sodium deoxycholate (DC) was incorporated in the gel as a penetration enhancer, a 2-fold increment in the ocular bioavailability was achieved with an increased Cmax and significantly suspended Tmax. The results demonstrated that microdialysis coupled to HPLC is a powerful tool to investigate the ocular pharmacokinetic, and hence facilitates the design of ophthalmic formulations.     

Phase separation time/temperature dependence of some thermoplastics-modified thermosetting systems

The phase separation processes of various thermoplastics-modified thermosetting systems which show upper critical solution temperature (UCST) or lower critical solution temperature (LCST) were studied with emphasis on the temperature dependency of the phase separation times. It was found that the phase separation time-temperature relationship follows the Arrhenius equation. The cure-induced phase separation activation energy E _a (ps) generated from the equation is independent of the method used to measure phase separation time. In our experimental ranges it is found that E _a (ps) is independent of the thermoplastic (TP) content, TP molecular weight and curing rate but it varies with the cure reaction kinetics and the chemical environments of the systems. __________ Translated from Acta Polymerica Sinica, 2007, 8: 725–730 [译自: 高分子学报]     

Fire- and heat-resistant matrix resins based on ethynyl-substituted aromatic cyclotriphosphazenes

A novel class of fire- and heat-resistant matrix resins has been synthesized by thermal polymerization of ethynyl-substituted aromatic cyclotriphosphazenes. Thermal polymerization of new tris[4-(4′-ethynylbenzanilido)phenoxy]tris(phenoxy) cyclotriphosphazene ( III ) and tris[4-(4′-ethynylphthalimido)phenoxy]tris(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene ( VII ) at 250°C for 1–1.5 h gave tough polymers. The thermal stabilities of the polymers were evaluated in nitrogen and in air by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesised polymers were stable to 400–410°C and showed char yield of 78–65% at 800°C in nitrogen and of 78–69% at 700°C in air. The ethynyl-substituted polymer precursor ( III ) was synthesised by the reaction of tris(4-aminophenoxy)tris(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene ( I ) with 4-ethynylbenzoyl chloride. The polymer precursor ( VII ) was synthesised by a solution condensation of I with 4-ethynylphthalic anhydride followed by in situ thermal cyclodehydration at 150°C. The structure of polymer precursors was characterized using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The curing of polymer precursors was monitored by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and IR spectroscopy. The synthesised matrix resins are potential candidates for the development of heat- and fire-resistant fiber-reinforced composites. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic Response of An Epoxy Thermosetting System Observed by TMDSC

The response of a chemical reaction to temperature modulation has been examined experimentally in an epoxy thermosetting system. The kinetic response appears in the imaginary part of the complex heat capacity determined by TMDSC. From the imaginary part and the ‘non-reversing’ heat flow of reaction, the activation energy has been determined. The value of the activation energy obtained is in good agreement with the value determined from Kissinger's plot utilizing the peak temperatures of the exothermic reaction with different heating rates. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Caractérisation de la gélification d'une résine thermodurcissable par méthode rhéologique

Résumé Une nouvelle façon de repérer la gélification d'une résine thermodurcissable est proposée, à partir de mesures rhéologiques. Le point de gel est relié à une diminution de la vitesse de croissance du module visqueux observée sur les courbes expérimentales en cours de cinétique à température constante. Les temps de gel obtenus sont du même ordre que ceux donnés par les autres méthodes rhéologiques, mais font cependant apparaître des différences sensibles. Le temps de gel obéit à une loi d'Arrhénius en fonction de la température de cuisson.Le module visqueux au point de gel et, par conséquent la viscosité en ce point, varient avec la température. Il en est de même pour le facteur de perte tan . Par contre, le module élastique au point de gel se conserve quelle que soit la température. Ces résultats ont été obtenus sur deux formulations de résine: DGEBA (n = 0) – mPDA et DGEBA (n = 0) – DDM à la stoechiométrie.

---

A new method of characterizing gelation of a thermosetting resin from rheological measurements is proposed. Gelation is associated with a reduction in the speed of growth of the viscous modulus which is observed on the experimental curves during isothermal kinetics. Times of gelation obtained in this way are of the same order of magnitude as those found with other rheological methods, however distinct differences are observed. These times follow the Arrhenius' law as a function of the processing temperature.The viscous modulus at the gelation point and, as a consequence, the viscosity at this point, vary with temperature. This comes also true for the loss factor tan . In contrast, the elastic modulus at the gelation point does not change with the temperature. These results were obtained with two resin formulas: DGEBA (n = 0) – mPDA and DGEBA (n = 0) – DDM in stoechiometric concentration.

     

Synthesis and ring‐opening reactions of tetraphenyl‐substituted bisoxazoline monomers for preparing new thermosets and composites

To develop new monomers for formulating thermosetting composites, three new tetraphenyl‐substituted bisoxazoline monomers were synthesized via the direct reaction of 2‐(diphenylmethyl)oxazoline with bromoalkyls, using tert‐butyllithium. The structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. These bisoxazolines have different melting points with varied molecular chain flexibility. They functioned well as crosslinkers when heated with phenolic resins or poly(acrylic acid), providing a path to new thermosetting materials with controlled glass transition temperature. To clarify the crosslinking reaction mechanism, the model reactions of these monomers with phenol and acetic acid were investigated. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heat-resistant thermosetting polymers based on a novel tetrakisaminophenoxycyclotriphosphazene

Two heat-resistant thermosetting polymers ( IX and X ) have been developed based on a new cyclotriphosphazene containing tetrakisamine. These polymers were synthesized by the reaction of tetrakisamine ( IV ) with maleic anhydride followed by in situ cyclodehydration and polymerization of the maleimides ( VII and VIII ) at 235–240°C for 1.5 h and 290°C for 0.5 h. The thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) of the developed cyclotriphosphazene containing cyclomatrix polymers showed their thermal stability up to 350°C and char yield of 71% in nitrogen at 800°C and 65% in air at 700°C. The monomer, 2,2,4,4-tetrakis(4′-aminophenoxy) -6,6-diphenylcyclotriphosphazene ( IV ), useful for producing a variety of heat- and fire-resistant polymers, has been synthesized in good yield. Its syntheses involve Friedel-Crafts reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene ( I ) with benzene followed by the reaction of 2,2,4,4-tetrachloro-6,6-diphenylcyclotriphosphazene ( II ) with potassium 4-nitrophenoxide. The reduction of the obtained 2,2,4,4-tetrakis(4′-nitrophenoxy)-6,6-diphenylcyclotriphosphazene ( III ) with molecular hydrogen in presence of PtO₂ gave the tetrakisamine ( IV ). The structure of the synthesized monomer and intermediates were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ³¹P-NMR, mass spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and elemental analysis. These resins are potential candidates for the development of heat- and fire-resistant composites, laminates, and adhesives, useful for space, aerospace, and electronic application. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Miscibility and intermolecular specific interactions in thermosetting blends of bisphenol S epoxy resin with poly(ethylene oxide)

Thermosetting blends composed of phloroglucinol‐cured bisphenol S epoxy resin and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were prepared via the in situ curing reaction of epoxy in the presence of PEO, which started from initially homogeneous mixtures of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol S, phloroglucinol, and PEO. The miscibility of the blends after and before the curing reaction was established on the basis of thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry). Single and composition‐dependent glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) were observed for all the blend compositions after and before curing. The experimental T_g's could be explained well by the Gordon–Taylor equation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that there were competitive hydrogen‐bonding interactions in the binary thermosetting blends upon the addition of PEO to the system, which was involved with the intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions, that is, OH···O?S, OH···OH, and OH, versus ether oxygen atoms of PEO between crosslinked epoxy and PEO. On the basis of infrared spectroscopy results, it was judged that from weak to strong the strength of the hydrogen‐bonding interactions was in the following order: OH···O?S, OH···OH, and OH versus ether oxygen atoms of PEO. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 359–367, 2005