Resin and carbon foam production by cationic step-growth polymerization of organic carbonates?

Polymer Chemistry Pub Date: 2016-11-21 DOI: 10.1039/C6PY01572G

Abstract

Acid induced step-growth polymerizations of bis(p-methoxybenzyl) carbonate (pMBC), bis(m-methoxybenzyl) carbonate (mMBC) and difurfuryl carbonate (DFC) have been performed to produce resin-foams, because controlled release of carbon dioxide takes place during polymerization of those organic carbonates. The monomers are polymerized in bulk using p-toluene sulfonic acid (pTS) as a catalyst. The volume development of the foams is assisted by use of an appropriate surfactant and the crosslinking agent 1,3,5-trioxane as co-components. A portion of carbon dioxide release is a function of the carbenium stability of the reactive intermediate derived from the monomer; DFC > pMBC ? mMBC. Resins derived from mMBC can be post-treated to release carbon dioxide after polymerization. The molecular structures of the resulting materials are investigated by solid state 13C-NMR spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study foam morphology. The carbon dioxide release was monitored with TG-MS analysis. Finally, the polymer foams have been converted into carbon foams and investigated by means of mercury porosimetry.

Graphical abstract: Resin and carbon foam production by cationic step-growth polymerization of organic carbonates
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