Synthesis and characterization of epoxy film cured with phosphorous‐containing phenolic resin

Through the electrophilic addition reaction of ? P(O)? H and C?C, a series of novel phosphorus‐containing phenolic resins bearing maleimide (P‐PMFs) were synthesized and used as curing agent for preparing high performance and flame retardancy epoxy resins. The structure of the resin was confirmed with FTIR and elemental analysis. Thermal properties and thermal degradation behaviors of the thermosetted resin was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The epoxy resins exhibited high glass transition temperature (143–156°C), goof thermal stability (>330°C) and retardation on thermal degradation rates. High char yields (700°C, 52.9%) and high limited oxygen indices (30.6–34.8) were observed, indicating the resins' good flame retardance for the P‐PMFs/CNE cured resins. The developed resin may be used potentially as environmentally preferable products in electronic fields. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3813–3817, 2007