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A reactive polystyrene-block-polyisoprene star copolymer as a toughening agent in an epoxy thermoset

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Abstract

A polystyrene-block-polyisoprene ((PS-b-PI)3) star polymer was synthesized by photochemical reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The obtained star polymer was epoxidized and used as a toughening agent in an epoxy thermoset. The incorporation of the epoxidized star polymer resulted in the formation of nanostructures and it was fixed by a crosslinking reaction. The formation of nanostructures in the thermosets follows the mechanism of reaction-induced microphase separation. The mechanical properties such as toughness and tensile strength were considerably increased due to the nanostructures formed by reactive blending.

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Acknowledgments

RF gratefully thanks Prof. Yves Gnanou (Dean, PSE Division, KAUST, Saudi Arabia) and Prof. R.S. Duran (LSU, USA) for useful discussions in making the precursor star polymer. RF and DKB thank CSIR and DST, Govt of India for research fellowship. RF and DKB also thank UGC and State Govt for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, 686560, India

    Raju Francis & Deepa K. Baby

  2. Post Graduate & Research Department of Chemistry, St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Calicut, Kerala, 673008, India

    Raju Francis & Deepa K. Baby

Authors
  1. Raju Francis
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  2. Deepa K. Baby
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Correspondence to Raju Francis.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding

This study was funded by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Extra Mural Research Scheme (No. 01(2201)/07/EMR-II), Government of India.

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Francis, R., Baby, D.K. A reactive polystyrene-block-polyisoprene star copolymer as a toughening agent in an epoxy thermoset. Colloid Polym Sci 294, 565–574 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-015-3810-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-015-3810-6

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