Synthesis of metal-containing epoxy polymer using metal complexes and maleic anhydride as crosslinking agents

Abstract

Metal-containing epoxy polymers were synthesized by crosslinking of diglycidylether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) with maleic anhydride (MA) and tetradentate Schiff'sbase metal complexes (CuL, CoL, NiL and ZnL). The crosslinking temperature wasdecreased when tetrabutylammoniumhydroxide (Bu(,4)NOH) was used as a catalyst.Infrared spectroscopy and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry were employedto obtain the suitable crosslinking temperatures and time. The thermal and mechanicalproperties of metal-containing epoxy polymers were investigated by dynamic mechanicalanalysis, thermogravimetric analysis and tensile testing. Metal-containing epoxypolymers obtained from the reaction in the presence of Bu(,4)NOH had better thermaland mechanical properties than those obtained from the reactions without Bu(,4)NOH.Copper-containing epoxy polymer with the mole ratio of CuL: MA: DGEBA = 0.2: 0.2: 1showed the best properties with glass transition temperature of 143 (+,ฐ) tensilestrength of 62 N/mm('2) and showed 2.8% weight loss after heating at 250 (+,ฐ) for 48hours.