Synthesis and properties of a novel naphthyl-containing self-promoted phthalonitrile polymer

A novel naphthyl-based self-promoted phthalonitrile monomer, 4-(8-amino-2-naphthyloxy)phthalonitrile (8-ANP), was successfully synthesized via nucleophilic substitution reaction through a one-pot reaction, and it exhibited desirable processing feature with a wide process window (temperature between the melting point and the cure temperature) and low complex viscosity. The activation energy (E-a) value of the self-promoted curing reaction was ascertained using integral isoconversional Starink method. Even without post cure at high temperature for a long time, the properties of 8-ANP polymers were still outstanding, which exhibited high glass transition temperatures, high storage modulus, low average coefficient of thermal expansion, and excellent thermal and thermo-oxidative stabilities.