A novel bisphenol A‐free polyarylates synthesis strategy: 4,4′‐sulfobisphenol/2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)butane co‐polyarylate prepared by interfacial polymerization

Abstract

AbstractA series of bisphenols, 4,4′‐sulfobisphenol (BPS)/2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)butane (BPB) co‐polyarylates with amorphous structures were synthesized from two BPS and BPB, and two different structures of benzoyl chloride monomers. The results of DFT calculations showed that the reaction activation energy of BPB with isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) and terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) was 8.05–8.40 Kcal/mol. The reaction activation energy of BPS with IPC and TPC was 38.73–39.09 Kcal/mol. GPC test results were consistent with theoretical calculations with BPS content from 0% to 15% resulting in a copolymer Mn of 22,000–11,600 and a Mw of 46,100–34,800. The intrinsic viscosity of co‐polyarylates ranged from 0.55 to 0.71 dL/g. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and 5% thermal weight loss of the co‐polyarylates were 179.3–205.4 °C and 461.4–487.8 °C, respectively. Improved solubility of co‐polyarylates in polar solvents. At the same time, the introduction of BPS did not result in any loss of mechanical properties, with Young's modulus in the range of 1444.32–1870.45 MPa, elongation at break in the range of 23.7%–30.8%, and tensile strength in the range of 52.21–59.38 MPa.