Synthesis and Characterization of Thermosets from N-Allylmaleimide Copolymer Using Thiol Crosslinkers Containing an Ester or Ether Linkage

Abstract

In this study, thermally crosslinked polymers were synthesized by thiol‒ene reactions of the allyl groups included in the side chain of an N-allylmaleimide/2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer and polyfunctional thiol crosslinkers. The network structure and physical properties of the cured materials were evaluated. The maleimide copolymer was cured thermally using three kinds of the thiol crosslinkers containing an ether or ester linkage in the presence of triallylisocyanurate as the additional crosslinker. The conversion of the functional groups was determined based on the results of NMR and IR analyses. All of the thermosets prepared in this study exhibited excellent thermal stability. The network structure and mechanical properties of the products were almost independent of the structure of the crosslinkers. On the other hand, a remarkable difference was observed in the acid hydrolysis resistance of the cured polymer materials. It was found that the polymers obtained by using the ether-type crosslinker exhibited excellent acid resistance.