Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.55, No.38, 10055-10064, 2016
Miscibility, Phase Morphology, Thermomechanical, Viscoelastic and Surface Properties of Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) Modified Epoxy Systems: Effect of Curing Agents
In this paper, we report on the effect: of curing agents on the miscibility, morphology,. thermomechanical properties, and surface hydrophobicity of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) blends. Two curing agents, 4,4'-diamino diphenylsulfone,(DDS);and 4,4'-diainino diphenylmethane (DDM), were, used. Studies revealed that the epoxy/PCL/DDM system was completely miscible due to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between carbonyl groups Of PCL; and hydroxyl groups of epoxy resin. On the other hand, the epoxy/PCL/DDS system exhibited phase separated. matrix/droplet type-morphology, primarily due to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions within the epoxy phase between sulfonyl groups of DDS and hydroxyl groups generated during epoxy DDS reaction. The storage modulus of the epoxy/PCL/DDM system was greater than that of the epoxy/PCL/DDS system, and the dependence Of modulus on PCL content was,more pronounced, in the former. Moreover, the epoxy/PCL/DDM system exhibited better tensile properties and thermal-stability.