Novel DCPD-modified polyester containing epoxy groups: thermal,viscoelastic, and mechanical properties of their wood flour filled copolymers

In this article, the synthesis of novel DCPD-modified polyesters containing epoxy groups and their possible utilization as polar matrices for wood flour filled copolymers have been studied. The novel DCPD-modified polyester containing epoxy groups was prepared during three-step process. First, the addition reaction of maleic acid to DCPD norbonenyl double bond has been performed. Then, the polyesterification of acidic ester of DCPD, cyclohex-4-ene dicarboxylic anhydride, and ethylene glycol (ethane-1,2-diol, EG) or neopentyl glycol (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, NP) in the presence of catalyst was carried out using melt condensation technique. Finally, the oxidation process of prepared DCPD-modified polyesters led to obtain DCPD-modified polyesters containing epoxy groups. The structural characterization of prepared DCPD-modified polyesters containing epoxy functionality has been carried out using FTIR and HNMR spectroscopic methods. The thermal, viscoelastic, and mechanical properties of their unfilled and wood flour filled copolymers have been studied by DSC, DMA, TGA analyses, three-point bending test, and Brinell’s hardness. The performed investigations indicated that novel DCPD-modified polyesters containing epoxy groups can be successfully applied as polar matrices for preparation wood flour filled copolymers due to their “compatibility” with hydrophilic wood flour surface which resulted with stronger interactions between wood and polymer surface and thus producing copolymers which were characterized by improved thermo-mechanical properties compared to unfilled copolymers.