Advancing coatings with polybenzoxazines: insights into molecular design, synthesis, and modification

Abstract

Polybenzoxazine (PBZ) has emerged as a cutting-edge high-performance thermosetting resin, boasting a broad spectrum of applications in electrical insulation, friction materials, and aerospace industries due to its outstanding features such as exceptional thermal stability, mechanical properties, flexible molecular designability, and high char yield, among others. While existing reviews on benzoxazines cover various aspects of benzoxazine research, including synthesis methodologies, accelerated curing process, low-temperature polymerization, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, green flame retardants, low dielectrics, toughening, and others, there remains a noticeable gap in the systematic review of coatings – an essential application area for benzoxazines. This review strategically fills this gap by focusing on the functionalization of benzoxazines with composite coatings, exploring vital domains such as superhydrophobicity, anti-corrosion, anti-fouling, antibacterial, water–oil separation, and self-cleaning mechanisms. Delving into the intricacies of molecular design, synthesis, and modification, we provide comprehensive insights into the development of PBZs tailored for specific functionalized applications. Our review not only enhances the understanding of the multifaceted realm of functional PBZs but also offers practical guidance for designing benzoxazines with desired structures and properties. This, in turn, paves the way for their potential utilization in advanced applications, marking a significant step forward in the field of coating technology.