FT-IR analysis of the effects of polymeric additives on epoxy homopolymerization or hydroxyl exchanges

Effects of polymeric additives, bisphenol-A polycarbonate, polyetherimide, and poly(hydroxyl ether of bisphenol-A), in epoxy systems on the epoxide reactivities were examined. No hardeners were used in the polymer/epoxy mixtures to exclude complications from crosslinking cure reactions. The epoxy/polymer mixtures upon heating at several selected isothermal temperatures were investigated using FT-IR analysis. Similar rates of decrease in the epoxide absorbance peak intensity were observed, which suggests that the polymeric additives exert no effect on the epoxide conversion rate in the absence of any hardeners. However, the production of the hydroxy groups was influenced by PC, but not by the other polymers (poly(ether imide) or phenoxy) investigated. Exchange reactions between the pendant -OH of the epoxy with the carbonate of PC might be responsible.