Functionalisation of amine-cured epoxy resins

A new paper presents a way to functionalise amine-cured epoxy resins by boronic acids based on dynamic dioxazaborocane formation.

Functionalisation of epoxy resins after curing is challenging because of their thermosetting properties. The intrinsic reactive chemical structures of epoxy resins can be used to overcome this challenge.

Functional coating
Scientists now demonstrated functionalisation of post-cure epoxy resins based on dynamic dioxazaborocane (DOAB) formation between diethanolamine (DEA) units in amine-cured epoxy resins and boronic acid modifiers. The cured epoxy resins were modified using a phenylboronic acid and a linear polymer with boronic acid pendants functionalised with spiropyran groups as a dye and a functional coating. Furthermore, cross-linked polymers containing boronic acid groups, i.e., an acrylamide gel and a methacrylic elastomer, were synthesised, which behaved as adhesives for cured epoxy resins.

These results are to provide novel possibilities for application of dynamic DOAB formation to functionalise amine-cured epoxy resins.