A novel benzoxazine/cyanate ester blend with sea-island phase structures

Abstract

A novel cardanol-based benzoxazine (C-BOZ)/bisphenol A dicyanate ester (BADCy) blend with sea-island phase structures was successfully prepared via reaction-induced phase separation. The introduction of a long-chain alkyl group on the benzene ring significantly enhanced the thermodynamic differences between C-BOZ and BADCy. With the increase of the BADCy content, the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χ) of the blend decreased. By adjusting the ratio of the two components, sea-island phase separations were observed in C-BOZ/BADCy blends during the curing process. The dispersed phase was a C-BOZ rich phase, while the matrix was the crosslinked network composed of triazine rings and ring-opened C-BOZ. On the DMA curves of 9/1, 8/2 and 7/3 cured blends, there were two distinct T_gs. But with the increase of the BADCy content, the extent of phase separation was reduced. When the ratio reached 5/5, there was only one T_g because the viscosity of the blend was too high for phase separation to occur.