Synthesis of Cyano-Containing Epoxy Precursor from Vanillin for Engineering Multifaceted Performance-Enhancing Resins
Jiahui Li, Haiyang Zhao, Qi Cao, Wenguang Zeng, Jiangjiang Zhang, Yüjie Guo, Yi Zhao, Xigao Jian, Zhihuan Weng
Abstract
Interest in producing chemicals and thermosets from sustainable resources is growing, yet their moderate performance drastically undermines their potential applicability. Herein, an aryl dinitrile epoxy precursor (DVN-EP) was developed from vanillin. After curing with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS), cyano-containing resin (DVN-EP/DDS) was produced with eminent comprehensive properties on account of the dual-cross-linked network formed by the epoxy-amine reaction and the further cyclotrimerization of cyano groups. In particular, the glass transition temperature, storage modulus, char yield (at 800 °C in N 2 ), and Young’s modulus of the DVN-EP/DDS were 201 °C, 2795 MPa, 47.4%, and 5034 MPa, respectively, all much higher than those of the cyano-free counterpart (DMG-EP/DDS). Moreover, the cyano dipole–dipole pairings combined with the H-bonding interactions contributed to a tremendously increased lap shear strength of up to 7.18 MPa as well as good energy dissipation and damping capacity. The rationally designed dual-cross-linked network strengthening mechanism reported here offers an important and universal strategy for significantly enhancing the comprehensive properties of thermosets.