Synthesis and properties of benzocyclobutene-functionalized thermosetting polycarbonate

Abstract

A novel benzocyclobutene (BCB)-functionalized polycarbonate was synthesized. This polymer showed good solubility in organic solvents and could be processed by solution method. After cured at high temperature, the polymer exhibited high thermostability with 5% weight loss temperature of 451℃ and a char yield of 33% at 1000℃ in nitrogen. The cured polymer showed good hydrophobicity with water uptake of 0.21% after immersion in boiling water for 24 h. Moreover, a copolymer and poly(bisphenol A carbonate) were synthesized by bisphenol A monomer to study the influence of the existence of BCB groups on the properties of the aromatic polycarbonate. The results of comparative study showed that BCB groups can effectively improve the thermostability and hydrophoblicity of aromatic polycarbonates.