Preparation and characterization of novel cyanate ester/epoxy resin microspheres

A novel kind of cyanate ester (CE)/epoxy resin microspheres have been synthesized using the polymerization technology of cyanate ester and epoxy resin in anhydrous ethanol media; surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate was used as an emulsifier, and imidazole was used as catalyst or curing agent. The morphologies, chemical structures, and thermal properties of microspheres were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy, optical microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and thermogravimetric analyzer, respectively. The effects of process parameters such as the amount of imidazole and the weight ratio of epoxy resin to CE on the size and morphology of microsphere were discussed. Results indicate that the reactivity and surface morphology of microsphere can be adjusted by the amount of imidazole and the weight ratio of epoxy resin to CE. The prepared microsphere shows excellent thermal stability and good reactivity.