The effect of reaction-induced micro-phase separation of block copolymer on curing kinetics of epoxy thermosets
writer：Haoruo Zhang, Zhengguang Heng, Yang Chen, Huawei Zou, Mei Liang, Zhong Zeng
keywords：Epoxy resin, Block copolymer, Cure kinetics, Miro-phase separation
source：期刊
specific source：Journal of Polymer Research，2018, 25(4):
Issue time：2018年
ABSTRACT: The curing kinetics of epoxy system modified with Poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-Polystyrene (PCL-b-PS) diblock copolymer was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). PCL-b-PS was synthesized Via the combination of ROP and ATRP, then incorporated into epoxy to access the nanostructured thermosets. The results of TEM, SAXS and DSC demonstrated the occurrence of Reaction-induced Micro-phase Separation. Kinetic studies showed that the PCL-b-PS block copolymer delayed the curing reactions of epoxy system. The occurrence of Reaction-induced Micro-phase Separation had no significant effect on the total heat of reaction ΔH and the total activation energy, but resulted in a higher activation energy at the beginning of curing. The increase in activation energy at the initial stage of curing was related to the size and distribution of the dispersed phase. It is expected that the investigation of cure kinetics of EP/PCL-b-PS could provide more theoretical basis for the preparation of block copolymer modified epoxy resin.