Thermal degradation characteristics of polysulfones with benzoxazine end groups

Thermal degradation behaviors of phenol and benzoxazine end-capped polysulfone macromonomers (PSU-OH and PSU-P-a) and pre-cured PSU-P-a in the absence and presence of aniline and phenol based benzoxazine monomer (P-a) were investigated via pyrolysis mass spectrometry. A significant increase in thermal stability of both polysulfone and polybenzoxazine chains upon polymerization of benzoxazine end groups was determined compared to phenol-ended polysulfones and aniline based monofunctional polybenzoxazine. Thermal stability of both chain segments depends on concentration of benzoxazine monomer and the chain length of the polysulfone chain. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.