Biobased chitosan/polybenzoxazine cross-linked films: preparation in aqueous media and synergistic improvements in thermal and mechanical properties

Biomacromolecules. 2013 Jun 10;14(6):1806-15. doi: 10.1021/bm4002014. Epub 2013 May 14.

Abstract

A novel class of polymer blends has been prepared from main-chain-type benzoxazine polymer (MCBP) and chitosan (CTS), a modified biomacromolecule. A water-soluble, main-chain-type benzoxazine polymer, MCBP(BA-tepa), was synthesized from the reaction of bisphenol A (BA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and formalin. The structure of the MCBP(BA-tepa) was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The polymer blends were prepared by mixing MCBP(BA-tepa) and CTS in aqueous acetic acid solution (1%). The CTS/MCBP(BA-tepa) films are cross-linked by thermal treatment via the ring-opening polymerization of benzoxazine structures in the main chain to produce an AB-cross-linked network. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR were used to study the effects of CTS on the polymerization behavior of benzoxazine. Hydrogen bonding between polybenzoxazine and CTS structures was also observed. The mechanical and thermal properties of cross-linked CTS/MCBP(BA-tepa) films were evaluated, and the results showed unusual levels of synergism. In particular, the tensile strength and thermal stability were significantly enhanced in a nonlinear fashion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzoxazines / chemistry*
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Benzoxazines
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Polymers
  • Water
  • Chitosan