Preparation and properties of chitosan particle-reinforced polybenzoxazine blends

This study investigates the effects of chitosan particles (CTS) on the curing behavior, thermal and thermomechanical properties of polybenzoxazine matrix. The morphological, thermomechanical, and thermal properties of the blends are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical analyzer (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the -NH2 groups on the chitosan can act as an active crosslinking position and hydrogen bonding. The SEM micrographs reveal good compatibility between the blend components. Furthermore, the values of glass transition temperatures, char yields, and storage moduli of the cured blends are found to be increased with the increase of CTS contents to reach 191?, 34%, 4.3GPa, respectively, at 10% of CTS content.