MOLECULAR ARCHITECTURE AND MORPHOLOGY HOMOGENIZATION OF POLYCARBONATE-CROSS-LINKED EPOXY-RESINS

This study demonstrates the formation of a network structure by crossl inking of an epoxy with bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) by via hydroxyl and carbonate groups upon heating without any amine or anhydride curi ng agents. The changes of morphology of the crosslinked network struct ure during reactions was examined. The observation of intermediate mor phology prior to the final network suggests that exchange reactions yi eld various product species in localized regions that introduced some temporary non-homogeneity; nevertheless, the final stage of reactions led to a homogenized epoxy/PC network. A likely molecular architecture of network building is discussed.