The reactivity of epoxy/polycarbonate/BF3-MEA system

The cationic reaction of an epoxy/BF3-MEA system occurs between the oxirane group and the oxonium group, The addition of polycarbonate to the system d oes not cause a transesterification reaction between the carbonate group an d the oxonium group, thus the molecular weight of the PC is unchanged durin g the reaction. PC crystallization is observed in the cured system because the epoxy monomer accelerates the PC crystallization. The eposy/BF3-MEA and epoxy/PC/BF3-MEA systems all follow the first order reaction. The PC modif ied systems show lower activation energy, a lower pre-exponential factor an d a higher reaction rate constant.