The reactivity of epoxy/polycarbonate/BF3-MEA system

Abstract

The cationic reaction of an epoxy/BF3-MEA system occurs between the oxirane group and the oxonium group, The addition of polycarbonate to the system does not cause a transesterification reaction between the carbonate group and the oxonium group, thus the molecular weight of the PC is unchanged during the reaction. PC crystallization is observed in the cured system because the epoxy monomer accelerates the PC crystallization. The eposy/BF3-MEA and epoxy/PC/BF3-MEA systems all follow the first order reaction. The PC modified systems show lower activation energy, a lower pre-exponential factor and a higher reaction rate constant.