Small‐molecule‐induced miscibility of isosorbide‐based polycarbonate with bisphenol A polycarbonate

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the influence of the small molecule 4,4 0 -thiobis(6-tert-butyl-m-methyl phenol) (AO300) on the miscibility of poly(isosorbide-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol carbonate) (IcC-PC) with bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) through the formation of hydrogen-bonding networks. Differential scanning calorimetry and morphological observation revealed that the initially, immiscible BPA-PC/IcC-PC blends become miscible through the addition of small molecules. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed between the hydroxyl groups of AO300 and the carbonyl groups of the studied polycarbonates. These polycarbonates exhibited different hydrogen-bonding behaviors and various degrees of glasstransition temperature composition dependence. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated that AO300 played an antiplasticization role in the BPA-PC/IcC-PC blends with improved storage moduli. To our knowledge, this article is the first to describe the miscibility of isosorbide-based polycarbonate with BPA-PC.

Microphase Separation: Enabling Isosorbide-Based Polycarbonates with Improved Property Profile

“…As commercial materials, the polymers based on this sugar-derived monomer have gained traction in the engineering polymer area, trying to compete with oil-based polymers like, among other, aromatic polycarbonate resins based on bisphenol-A (BPA, ( 2 )) (Chart ), which are known to combine ductility, strength, and durability with high transparency and do not show embrittlement when used below 120 °C. This unique property profile makes this resin the material of choice in, for example, sheets, appliances, helmets, packaging materials, and lenses. − The homopolycarbonate of isosorbide ( 3 ) (Chart ) has been well described, and its property profile is known. ,,− Compared to a BPA homopolycarbonate, isosorbide-containing polymers have limited toughness, a reduced processing window, and thermal instabilities that result in discoloration. The main reason for the thermal instability is the presence of β-hydrogens, which undergo elimination reactions, which are notable already at temperatures below 280 °C; the resulting end groups can cause discoloration and crossl-inking …”

Antiplasticizing effect of triethyl citrate on an isosorbide-based polycarbonate

“…However, to the best of our knowledge there has been no investigation of the effects of TEC on isosorbide-based polycarbonate. Moreover, unlike in the case of a blend comprising bisphenol-A polycarbonate [31][32][33][34], the technique by which another material is blended with isosorbide-based polycarbonate has hardly been reported. Therefore, the results obtained in the present study will provide important information for the material design of isosorbide-based polycarbonate.…”

Efficient Synthesis of High-Molecular-Weight Biobased Polycarbonates by Lithium Lactate

“…In the past decades, various metal catalysts and ionic liquid catalysts were used for the synthesis of PIC, including LiOH, Zn­(OAc) 2 , , NaAcac, CH 3 ONa, Cs 2 CO 3 , and so forth. Among them, the alkali metal catalysts have better catalytic efficiency, and (CH 3 ) 3 CONa is the best among alkali metal catalysts to synthesize PIC with a weight-average molecular weight ( M w ) of 55.0 kDa, but it is still hard to meet the basic requirement that the industrial engineering plastic PC should achieve M w value of at least 70.0 kDa. , In addition, the strong alkalinity of such a catalyst is also prone to trigger the side reactions, such as chain branching and cross-linking reactions, and the produced PIC was not well colored, which affects the transmittance of subsequent products.…”

“…In the past decades, various metal catalysts and ionic liquid catalysts were used for the synthesis of PIC, including LiOH, 17 Zn(OAc) 2 , 18,19 NaAcac, 20 CH 3 ONa, 21 Cs 2 CO 3 , 22 and so forth. Among them, the alkali metal catalysts have better catalytic efficiency, and (CH 3 ) 3 CONa is the best among alkali metal catalysts to synthesize PIC with a weight-average molecular weight (M w ) of 55.0 kDa, 15 but it is still hard to meet the basic requirement that the industrial engineering plastic PC should achieve M w value of at least 70.0 kDa.…”