Vanillin based phthalonitrile and acetylene bifunctional resins

Abstract

AbstractThe renewable and biosynthetic molecule, vanillin, were used in the preparation of new phthalonitrile (PN) and ethynylbenzene (EB) bifunctional resins without pre‐modification of the vanillin structure. This PN resin was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, rheometry, and single crystal x‐ray diffraction. The monomers exhibited excellent rheometric viscosities below 250 Cp at processing temperatures and a good pot life. After complete curing, the PN polymers exhibited thermal stability above 500°C, a glass transition temperature (Tg) above the final postcure temperature of 380°C, and exceptional retention of structural integrity over a large temperature range. These results suggest that vanillin derived EBPN based resins are excellent candidates for use in a variety of applications where high temperature and mechanical stability is critical.