Catalytic effect of carbon nanotubes on polymerization of cyanate ester resins

Abstract

Kinetic peculiarities of polycyclotrimerization process of dicyanate ester of bisphenol A (DCBA) in the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy technique. It has been found that even very small amounts of MWCNTs (0.01–0.1 wt%) catalyze the reaction of polycyclotrimerization of DCBA leading to formation of polycyanurate network (PCN)/MWCNTs nanocomposite. However, some decrease in final degree of conversion for nanocomposites compared to the neat PCN within the temperature/time schedule used was observed. The kinetic rate constants increased with addition of MWCNTs and energies of activation were found to be significantly decreased even at low contents of MWCNTs.

Keywords

• Nanocomposites
• Thermosetting polymers
• Polycyanurates
• Carbon Nanotubes
• Sonication