Fast pyrolysis of pine wood was carried out in an Auger reactor at 500°C. The bio-oil was fractionated into organic and aqueous phases. Cyanate ester resin was synthesized from the organic phase of bio-oil by reacting with cyanogen bromide in presence of triethylamine at -10°C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the synthesis of cyanate ester functionality and its further conversion into triazine rings during crosslinking. Bio-oil-based cyanate ester resin was heated in aluminum mold in inert atmosphere to produce crosslinked polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the crosslinked polymer showed high glass transition temperature, 172°C and was comparable to traditional petroleum-derived polycyanate esters. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed for comparing thermo-mechanical performance of bio-oil-based and petroleum-based resins. Organic phase of bio-oil was also reacted with paraformaldehyde and a polyetheramine to yield bio-oil-based benzoxazine monomer. Benzoxazine was crosslinked similarly to produce poly(benzoxazine) thermoset that displayed glass transition temperature as 120°C. Morphology of cured polymers was observed with scanning electron microscopy and the solvent resistance was assessed by Soxhlet extraction. Bio-oil derived cyanate ester and benzoxazine polymers proved to be high performance thermosetting materials aimed at high-end applications including aerospace and electronics.

High performance cyanate esters and poly(benzoxazine) from fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass

255th National Meeting (2018)

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