Solvolysis of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether/anhydride model networks

The chemical recycling by solvolysis of epoxy resins, in particular those of the type including bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured by anhydrides, appears rather easy. The association of titanium(IV) n-butoxide (TBT) and diethyleneglycol (DEG) catalyst/solvent system proved effective. The depolymerisation of a model matrix, as well as composite waste, is pushed practically to the monomer stage. The glycolysis products are constituted by esterdiols, tetraalcohols and excess of glycol. The excess solvent can be eliminated by distillation under vacuum, without re-equilibration reactions towards the formation of higher molar mass species. Solvolysis by monoethanolamine (MEA) has also been studied. The reaction is more effective but the depolymerisation products are solid. Characterization of the depolymerisation products by NMR and Maldi-Tof has confirmed the reaction mechanism of transesterification and the presence of other alcoholysis side reactions.     

Simulation of the thermal degradation and curing kinetics of fly ash reinforced diglycidyl ether bisphenol A composite

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is concluding expanding applicability in determination of the thermal stability and degradation nature of materials. The present study investigates the thermal degradation behavior and the kinetics of degradation of epoxy mixed with varying percentages of 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 ​wt% fly ash. Thermal stability and degradation behavior of fly ash modified epoxy cast were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The kinetic parameters of the EF composites were calculated by using Coats–Redfern, Broido and Horowitz–Metzger models under best-fit analysis and further proved by linear regression analysis. The kinetics of thermal degradation was calculated from data scanned at a heating rate of 10 ​°C/min. The obtained results reveal that kinetic parameters and thermal behavior of EF composites were improved with the reinforcement of fly ash. The cure kinetics of the varying content of fly ash reinforced epoxy cast were also studied by using a nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) technique at four different heating rates 5 ​°C/min, 10 ​°C/min, 15 ​°C/min and 20 ​°C/min. The curing kinetics of the EF composite was derived from the nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data with the three Kissinger, Ozawa, and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa models, respectively.     

The curing kinetics and mechanical properties of epoxy resin composites reinforced by PEEK microparticles

In this paper, a polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK)/epoxy composite was prepared by using PEEK microparticles as the reinforcement. The nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test was used to evaluate the curing reaction of PEEK/epoxy resin system. The curing kinetics of this system were examined utilizing nonisothermal kinetic analyses (Kissinger and Ozawa), isoconversional methods (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose) and an autocatalytic reaction model. During these analyses, the kinetic parameters and models were obtained, the curing behavior of PEEK/epoxy resin system under dynamic conditions was predicted. The results show that isoconversional methods can adequately interpret the curing behavior of PEEK/epoxy resin system and that the theoretical DSC curves calculated by the autocatalytic reaction model are in good agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, the tensile elongation at break, tensile strength, flexural strength, compression strength and compression modulus increased by 81.6%, 33.66%, 36.53%, 10.98% and 15.14%, respectively, when PEEK microparticles were added in epoxy resin composites.     

Environmentally benign green composites based on epoxy resin/bacterial cellulose reinforced glass fiber: Fabrication and mechanical characteristics

Bio-based bacterial cellulose (BC) epoxy composites were manufactured and their mechanical properties were examined. The BC was initially fabricated from Vietnamese nata de coco by means of alkaline pretreatment followed by solvent exchange. The obtained fibers were dispersed in epoxy resin (EP) by both mechanical stirring and ultrasonic techniques. The resulting blend was used as the matrix for glass-fiber (GF) composite fabrication using a prepreg method followed by multiple hot-press-curing steps. The morphology, mechanical characteristics and mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness of the fabricated composites were investigated. With a 0.3-wt% BC content, the mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness for both crack initiation and crack propagation were improved by 128.8% and 1110%, respectively. The fatigue life was dramatically extended by a factor of 12, relative to the unmodified composite. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the BC plays a vital role in increasing the interlaminar fracture toughness of a GF/EP composite via the mechanisms of crack reflection, debonding and fiber-bridging.     

Mechanical properties of polymer composites based on commercial epoxy vinyl ester resin and glass fiber

The effect of the addition of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) and cobalt naphthenate (CoNaph) on the mechanical behavior of epoxy vinyl ester resin (EVER) laminates has been investigated by using a factorial experimental design, in which the MEKP and NaphCo contents were varied. Previous results showed that there is an interaction effect between the process variables analysed on the mechanical properties evaluated. It was also observed that the MEKP/CoNaph ratio affected the tensile behavior of the EVER/glass fiber composites.     

Properties of composites based on the epoxy aliphatic resin DEG-1

This paper presents the results of research on creating composites using the DEG-1 water-soluble epoxy resin cured by polyethylenepolyamine. It was shown that the obtained composites, in which quartz sand or Portland cement were used as the filler, have high damping properties, rigidity, and bending compressive strengths.     

Chemical recycling of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin composites in subcritical water: Synergistic effect of phenol and KOH on the decomposition efficiency

The combination of phenol and potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used to chemically recycle carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin cured with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane in subcritical water. This combination had a synergistic effect on decomposing this kind of epoxy resin. The main decomposition products from the epoxy resin were identified by means of GC-MS, and a possible free-radical reaction mechanism for the decomposition of epoxy resin is proposed. The recovered carbon fibres were characterized using single fibre tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Compared to virgin carbon fibres after sizing removal, the surface compositions of the recovered carbon fibres had little change and the tensile strength of the recovered carbon fibres was well retained.     

Facile, one-pot synthesis of phosphinate-substituted bisphenol A and its alkaline-stable diglycidyl ether derivative

A new phosphinate-substituted bisphenol A, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(6-oxido-6H-dibenz <c,e> <1,2> oxaphosphorin-6-yl)ethane (1), was prepared by a facile, one-pot procedure. In addition, a reaction mechanism for the preparation of (1) was proposed. Based on (1), a diglycidyl ether derivative (2) was prepared and cured by commercially-available curing agents. The structures of (1-2) were confirmed by IR, high-resolution mass, 1-D and 2-D NMR spectra. Properties such as glass transition temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal decomposition temperature, and flame retardancy of the resulting thermosets were evaluated and compared with those of the thermosets of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. The resulting epoxy thermosets show high T_g, low thermal expansion, good thermostability and excellent flame retardancy.     

Pyrolysis and fire behaviour of epoxy resin composites based on a phosphorus-containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (DOPO-POSS)

The pyrolysis and fire behaviour of epoxy resin (EP) composites based on a novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane containing 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO-POSS) and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) have been investigated. The pre-reaction between the hydroxyl groups of DOPO-POSS and the epoxy groups of DGEBA at 140 °C is confirmed by FTIR, which means that DOPO-POSS molecules of hydroxyl group could easily disperse into the epoxy resin at the molecular level. The EP composites with the DOPO-POSS were prepared through a curing agent, m-phenylenediamine (m-PDA). The morphologies of the EP composites observed by SEM indicate that DOPO-POSS disperses with nano-scale particles in the EP networks, which implies good compatibility between them. The thermal properties and pyrolysis of the EP composites were analyzed by DSC and TGA, TGA-FTIR, and TGA-MS. The analysis indicates that the DOPO-POSS change the decomposition pathways of the epoxy resin and increase its residue at high temperature; moreover, the release of phosphorous products in the gas phase and the existence of Si-O and P-O structures in the residue Is noted. The fire behaviour of the EP composites was evaluated by cone calorimeter (CONE). The CONE tests show that incorporation of DOPO-POSS into epoxy resin can significantly improve the flame retardancy of EP composites. SEM and XPS were used to explore micro-structures and chemical components of the char from CONE tests of the EP composites, they support the view that DOPO-POSS makes the char strong with the involvement of Si-O and P-O structures.     

Optical adhesives based on blends of methylmethacrylate-co-glycidylmethacrylate copolymer and bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether

In pursuit of nonbirefringent optical adhesives, various copolymers of methylmethacrylate and glycidylmethacrylate (MMA-co-GMA) were synthesized and subsequently blended with bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether (EPON-828) epoxy prepolymer using acetone as a common solvent. Miscibility and optical properties of these adhesive blends were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dielectric thermal analysis (DETA), and refractive index measurements. The increasing trend of the single glass transition temperatures of the copolymers as well as of their refractive indices with increasing MMA content suggests that these copolymers are probably of a random type. The adhesive blends, after curing with trimellitic anhydride (TMA), remained transparent, suggestive of a single-phase character. The complete miscibility of the adhesive blends made the refractive indices to be adjustable by simply varying the ratio of MMA-co-GMA copolymer in the blends. In addition, the positive and negative dielectric anisotropies (intrinsic birefringence) of the constituent molecules can be compensated fully in their cured states, thereby yielding significant reduction in the net birefringence in the blends of 50–80 wt % copolymer and a zero-birefringent optical adhesive at 60 wt %. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1911–1917, 1997     

New thermosetting nanocomposites prepared from diglycidyl ether of bisphenol and γ-valerolactone initiated by rare earth triflate initiators

Mixtures of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) with γ-valerolactone (γ-VL) 2:1 (mol/mol) with different organically modified clays were cationically copolymerized in the presence of scandium, ytterbium or lanthanum triflates as initiators. The cure process was followed by calorimetry and rheological techniques. The differences in the gelation time on adding clays were studied by rheological measurements. These methods, in addition to FTIR studies of the cure process allowed selection of the best initiator and its concentration to achieve creation of the nanocomposite. The enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposites was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The intercalated morphology of the nanocomposites obtained was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposites prepared showed a more plastic fracture surface than the unfilled material. Thermomechanical characteristics were also studied.     

Radiation induced effects on particulate composites from epoxy resin and fly-ash

In this paper gamma-radiation damages and effects on an epoxide matrix and on its particulate composite with coal fly ash have been studied; the curing of both formulations was carried out at room temperature by means of tetraethylenepentamine and of a tailored polyalkylenepolyaminophenolic product. The change on mechanical properties following the irradiation in air at room temperature has been tested as a function of the total absorbed dose. The chemical modification induced by the ionizing radiation on the matrices have been investigated by means of infrared spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The high radiation resistance of the matrix and above all of the particulate composite suggests its use for the confinment of low and medium activity radwastes (nuclear or medical).     

Polymer blends based on epoxy resin and polyphenylene ether as a matrix material for high-performance composites

The application of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether), PPE, as a matrix material for continuous carbon fibre reinforced composites has been studied. Due to the intractable nature of PPE melt impregnation is not feasible and a novel impregnation route, using epoxy resin as a reactive solvent, was developed. The introduction of epoxy resin results in enhanced flow and a reduced processing temperature, enabling the processing of PPE and the preparation of high quality composites. Upon curing, phase separation is initiated and epoxy resin is converted into a second phase. In composites, epoxy resin preferentially accumulates at the polar fibre surface, resulting in an epoxy layer around the fibres, providing a high level of interfacial adhesion. For a high fibre volume fraction (> 50%) this results in the ultimate morphology of epoxy coated fibres in a neat PPE matrix. Due to this unique morphology the composite materials reveal outstanding mechanical properties in terms of interlaminar toughness and impact performance.     

Curing of liquid epoxy resin in plasma discharge

Epoxy resins in the solid state, liquid state and during polymerisation were treated by microwave oxygen plasma and analysed by FTIR spectra. Curing, etching and oxidation kinetics of epoxy resin were observed. In the liquid resin and polymerising mixture the effect of structure modification was observed more intensively than in the case of solid sample due to a mixing process. A modification of bulk layers of liquid epoxy resin was observed under plasma action. The polymerisation reaction of epoxy resin with amine hardening agent can be released in plasma discharge at low pressure.     

Thermal properties of epoxy resin nanocomposites based on hydrotalcites

Epoxy resin nanocomposites containing home-made hydrotalcites (HTlc) have been prepared and their properties have been studied and compared with those of montmorillonite (MMT)-type layered silicates-based nanocomposites. Nanofiller dispersion in the polymer matrix has been evaluated by transmission (TEM) electron microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), while nanocomposite thermal properties have been studied in detail by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) and cone calorimeter tests.The morphological studies have shown that the compatibilisation of the above two type of nanofillers allowed us to obtain nanostructured materials. As far as thermal properties are concerned, nanocomposites based on HTlc are found to decompose, both in air and nitrogen, following a trend similar to that of the neat polymer matrix, while in the case of the nanocomposite based on the organophilic MMT a slight improvement was found in air. Conversely, cone calorimetric tests have demonstrated that only the organophilic hydrotalcite was capable of decreasing the peak of the heat release rate in a relevant way.     

Determination of bisphenol diglycidyl ether residues in canned foods by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A new confirmatory method for simultaneous determination of bisphenol diglycidyl ether residues (BADGE, BADGE.H(2)O, BADGE.2H(2)O, BADGE.H(2)O.HCl, BADGE.HCl, BADGE.2HCl, BFDGE and BFDGE.2HCl) from canned food has been developed. The proposed method includes extraction by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by liquid-liquid partition and purification by solid phase extraction (SPE). Several solvent systems and different operating conditions (time, temperature) have been investigated for PLE optimization. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (APCI-MS-MS) method was developed for the separation, quantification and confirmation. The ion source settings were optimized using a design of experiments (DOE). The optimized method was applied to the determination of these chemicals at very low levels in different samples with a quantification limit of 5 ng/g. Recoveries ranged between 82 and 101% and standard deviations were less than 10%.     

Electrical impedance spectroscopy of epoxy systems: The case of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether/cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride and triethylamine as initiator

A series of epoxy cured samples, with different molar composition of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (EP), cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride (CH) and triethylamine (TEA) as initiator, was studied by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in the frequency range 10⁻²-10⁵ Hz. The resistivity of the system was evaluated by using the complex impedance analysis method. Resistivity values in the range between 10⁷ and 10¹³ Ω cm were obtained and related to the composition (molar fraction x_EP or x_CH) of the epoxy system. The gel formation characteristics of the samples were obtained as theoretically described by Flory.     

Synthesis and properties of isosorbide based epoxy resin

Isosorbide based epoxy resin (IS-EPO) of epoxy number: 0.44 mol/100 g was synthesised in the one step reaction from 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-glucitol (isosorbide) and epichlorohydrin in the presence of concentrated aqueous NaOH. The product obtained was characterised by means of NMR, FT-IR and ESI MS spectroscopy. Compositions with typical hardeners were prepared and cured. The thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting materials were evaluated. Comparison with commercially available epoxy resin Epidian 5 shows relatively good mechanical performance of IS-EPO which makes isosorbide a promising candidate to replace bisphenol A (BPA).     

Cationic polymerization of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A

The cationic nonlinear polymerization of diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A (DGEBA) in the presence of a diluent γ-butyrolactone (BL) was initiated by the BF₃-4-methoxyaniline (MA) complex. The reaction was studied by size exclusion chromatography, DSC, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Reaction mechanism involves a fast formation of adducts of DGEBA with MA released from the initiator. Formation of spiro orthoesters (S) by reaction of BL with DGEBA and homopolymerization of DGEBA as well as copolymerization with S follow. Gelation occurs at 60°C within a few minutes at conversion of epoxy groups (ξ_E)_c = 0.20–0.45. The networks cured under optimum conditions show high glass transition temperature, T_α = 178°C. The mechanism-structure-property relations are discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定肉类罐头中双酚-二缩水甘油醚

建立了同时测定肉类罐头中双酚A-二缩水甘油醚(BADGE)、双酚F-二缩水甘油醚(BFDGE)及其衍生物双酚A-(2,3-二羟丙基)甘油醚(BADGE•H2O)、双酚A-双(2,3-二羟丙基)醚(BADGE•2H2O)、双酚A-(3-氯-2-羟丙基)(2,3-二羟丙基)醚(BADGE•H2O•HCl)、双酚A-(3-氯-2-羟丙基)甘油醚(BADGE•HCl)、双酚A-双(3-氯-2-羟丙基)醚(BADGE•2HCl)、双酚F-双(2,3-二羟丙基)醚(BFDGE•2H2O)、双酚F-双(3-氯-2-羟丙基)醚(BFDGE•2HCl)9种环境激素的高效液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法。样品经叔丁基甲醚提取,HLB固相萃取小柱净化,C18色谱柱分离,用5 mmol/L醋酸铵溶液(含0.1%甲酸)与甲醇为流动相梯度洗脱,质谱多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,基质标准校正,外标法定量。结果表明,这9种化合物在10.0～2000.0 μg/L范围内线性关系良好;定量限(以信噪比≥10计)为10.0 μg/kg;在高、中、低3个加标水平下9种化合物的平均添加回收率为79.6%～100.9%,相对标准偏差为6.3%～12.1%。该方法具有较高的灵敏度和准确度,能满足法规要求的对肉类罐头中双酚A-二缩水甘油醚、双酚F-二缩水甘油醚及其衍生物残留量的快速检测及准确定量。