The activation of furfuryl alcohol polymerization by oxygen and its enhanced mechanical properties

Abstract The effect of oxygen and additional oxygen providers on furfuryl alcohol polymerization was investigated through chemical analyses and mechanical evaluation. NMR, UV–vis, Fourier transform infrared, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) results suggested that atmospheric oxygen and the further addition of an oxygen source functioned as an activator for the entire network polymerization. Interestingly, the construction of a conjugated structure on the furan linear chain, which is key to three‐dimensional cross‐linking, also appears to be accelerated in the presence of oxygen. Furthermore, the introduction of oxygen providers into the curing system successfully enhanced the mechanical properties of the cured furan resin.