Advanced and Emerging Polybenzoxazine Science and Technology

PABLO FROIMOWICZ; HATSUO ISHIDA

Elsevier

Año: 2016 p. 1126

9780128041703

It has been several years since we first published Handbook of Benzoxazine Resins through Elsevier. Since then, the number of papers published exceeded that of the previous eighteen years combined. This widespread interest on benzoxazines and polybenzoxazines still continues. The progress made during the past several years on benzoxazine chemistry and its application are remarkable. Therefore, this second book emphasizes on reporting progress made in recent years and identifying emerging fields. Particularly noteworthy progress is made in three fronts, including the improvement of molecular approach on toughness, understanding the chemistry for faster and lower temperature polymerization, and benzoxazine resins derived from natural renewable resources. This bio-based benzoxazine field was nearly non-existent when the handbook was published in 2011 and only a few papers existed. Yet, by predicting the fast progress in this area, one chapter was dedicated to this subject. However, the current interest and research activities far exceeded the expectation at that time. Other emerging fields, such as smart coatings, metal containing benzoxazines, reaction-induced phase separation for toughness control, polymer and carbon aerogels, surfactants, boron and phosphorus containing benzoxazines, asymmetric benzoxazines and many other exciting fields are summarized as well in this book. As the goal of this book is to introduce the recent progress and emerging fields, some chapters are necessarily based on original research rather than review in nature. Therefore, at the beginning of each chapter, the classification is shown as review, review/original research, and original research.Considering the synthesis aspect, Mannich condensation still dominates the synthesis of 1,3-benzoxazine resins, although there are other methods available. As the needs for synthesizing unique benzoxazines increase, other synthetic approaches will also be helpful. For this reason, this book starts with introducing various benzoxazine synthesis methods. Another unique aspect of this book is the last chapter discussing the effect of impurities in the resin. Since Mannich reaction generates many side products, purification is not straight forward. Thus, in the past many years, benzoxazine research was performed by rather impure compounds, leading to disagreement in results despite using the same benzoxazine compound. To assist benzoxazine researchers, an extensive collection of 1H and 13C NMR spectra, FT-IR and Raman spectra, as well as DSC thermograms of single crystals of benzoxazine monomers is illustrated. This chapter thus highlights only very pure compounds.This book is dedicated to three well-recognized benzoxazine researchers, Professors Yi Gu, Tsutomu Takeichi, and F. C. Chang on the occasion of their retirement and, sadly, passing (F. C. Chang). They are the pioneers of benzoxazine research in their respective homelands, China, Japan, and Taiwan. Their contribution to this field by finding many unique phenomena and educating next generations of benzoxazine researchers are unsurpassed by anyone. Finally, this book was made possible by the contribution of every active benzoxazine researchers in the world. It is known that in the past several decades, it has become nearly impossible to commercialize a new kind of polymer. Despite these odds, benzoxazine has joined this exclusive membership. The collaborative effort by all the benzoxazine researchers significantly contributed to this rare achievement. This new benzoxazine book is an ideal example of such collaborative effort within the benzoxazine community. In addition to the scientific collaboration, without the help by the publisher, this unique book could not have been completed. We are very grateful for the initial support of Dr. Kostas Marinakis, Senior Acquisition Editor, who made possible starting this book, Christine McElvenny, Content Delivery Manager, for her efficient management of the editorial arrangement, and Vijayharaj Purushothaman, Project Manager and Book Production, for his tireless editing work. If this book can help enhance the readers? interest and research on polybenzoxazines, it would be the best compliment for the hard works of all involved.Editors:Hatsuo Ishida and Pablo Froimwoicz