Thursday, February 7 Preservation Hall B 2nd Floor 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Presenter name Topic
Austin BaranekAustin D. Baranek,
PhD Candidate
Patton Research Group
School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, USM

Versatility of Bisphenol-Based Polybenzoxazine Networks

Co-Authors: Laken L. Kendrick, Jananee Narayanan, Ginger E. Tyson, Steven Wand and Derek L. Patton
Abstract
Polybenzoxazines (pBZ) have been investigated as attractive alternatives to traditional phenolic resins for a variety of high performance applications. However, it is observed that the majority of bisphenol-based pBZ consist of short cores resulting in highly cross-linked, but extremely brittle materials limiting their use to high modulus/high glass transition temperature (Tg) applications. Additives and blends (i.e. rubber toughening) have been used to improve the flexural strength; however, incorporating the flexibility directly into the pBZ network would allow versatility and tailorability via a simplistic monomer design without addition of foreign components. This project investigates unexplored molecular design opportunities that are available by incorporating long aliphatic cores into the bisphenol, from which benzoxazines can be easily synthesized and purified. In this study, a series of aliphatic-bridged bisphenol-based pBZ are studied to demonstrate the viability of tailoring the mechanical properties of diphenol-based pBZ networks through monomer design as well as expand potential applications of these materials. Specifically, anion exchange membrane (AEM) capabilities are explored by incorporating the flexible benzoxazine monomers with quaternarnizable ammonium functionality. The defining characteristic of these systems is the ability to bestow pBZ thin films with a high ion exchange capacity (IEC) – wherein the entire film is comprised of a continuous, cross-linked ionic network capable of conducting anions – while achieving optimal chemical stability, water uptake, flexural strength and modulus, and thermomechanical properties.