Transesterification and cyclization of polycarbonate-epoxy blends cured with anhydride

Abstract

Infrared spectra have been investigated to study the curing mechanisms of polycarbonate-epoxy blends using anhydride as a hardener catalysed by tertiary amine. Due to a significant difference in the reaction, curing reactions of the system can be considered as two sequential stages: (1) an anionic alternating copolymerization of cyclic anhydride and epoxy resin, and (2) a homopolymerization of oxirane initiated by a quaternary ammonium salt zwitter ion. The transesterification/cyclization of carbonate groups proceeds in the later stage if the oxirane is still available. Degrees of transesterification/cyclization and homopolymerization are higher when a higher epoxy/anhydride ratio is used. This study positively confirms the mechanism of transesterification/cyclization proceeding through a zwitter ion. The zwitter ion is formed from epoxide and tertiary amine, which attacks the carbonate group. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.