Bio‐resourced eugenol derived phthalonitrile resin for high temperature composite

Abstract Eugenol (EG) is an abundant renewable compound that has been widely used in the synthesis of bio‐based thermosetting resin, but there are few reports on the phthalonitrile (PN) resin derived from EG. In this study, a new kind of bio‐based PN resin (MEG‐PN) derived from EG derivative was successfully synthesized. PN is a traditional class of high‐performance thermosets with poor processability for its ultra‐high melting point and curing temperature. The MEG‐PN resin possesses excellent processability: its melting temperature is much lower (77°C), and it can be cured at a moderate temperature (281°C) in the absence of curing agents. The cured MEG‐PN resin exhibited great heat resistance according to its 5% weight loss temperature at 448°C and its char yield percentage as high as 75.6% at 800°C under nitrogen. The properties of the carbon‐fiber reinforced MEG‐PN composite were comparable to those of petroleum‐based PN resins: the glass transition temperature was around 397°C; the flexural strength and modulus were as high as 756 MPa and 119 GPa, respectively. Overall, a bio‐based PN thermoset with great comprehensive performance was synthesized possessing the potential in the application of advanced composite.