Gelation Mechanisms of Phenolic Resins Studied by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

Abstract

The gelation mechanism and cross-link inhomogeneity of phenolic resins prepared via polycondensation of phenol and formaldehyde under acidic conditions were studied by using small-angle X-ray scattering. The structural analysis of the gelation process indicated the presence of different mechanisms of the formation and growth of the inhomogeneity that depend on the cross-linker concentration.