Synthesis and characterization of novel epoxy resin bearing naphthyl and limonene moieties, and its cured polymer

The synthesis of novel epoxy resin containing both naphthalene moiety and cycloaliphatic group by chemical bonding in the same molecule has been conducted starting from naphthol and limonene. Its chemical structure was characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, NMR, and GPC analyses. Dynamic cure behaviors with different curing agents were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. The physical properties of the resulting polymers were evaluated with dynamic thermal mechanical spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and thermal mechanical analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Compared to that of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, cured polymer of the novel epoxy resin showed remarkably higher glass transition temperature (T-g), lower coefficient of thermal expansion, higher thermal stability, better moisture resistance and dielectric property. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.