Resolving the strength-processing trade-off: Construction of novel polybenzimidazole-based semi-interpenetrating network photosensitive resins via thiol-ene click chemistry

Le résumé fourni par la source

The growing demand for photopolymerized products across various industries has intensified the need to develop photosensitive resins that combine high mechanical strength with ease of processing. In this study, Poly(ether-benzimidazole) (OPBI) and allylated polybenzimidazole (AOPBI) were synthesized from commercially available 3,3′-diaminobenzidine and 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl ether. By tuning the molar ratio of OPBI to AOPBI and employing pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) as a crosslinker, a novel semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) photosensitive resin was successfully fabricated via thiol–ene click chemistry. Both OPBI and AOPBI exhibited good solubility in polar aprotic solvents. At an OPBI content of 80 wt%, the photocured resin demonstrated exceptional mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 170.7 MPa, a Young's modulus of 3 GPa, and a yield strength of 136 MPa, along with notable thermal resistance in air (T d5% = 396 °C). The presence of flexible ether linkages and polar imidazole rings in the poly(ether-benzimidazole) backbone endows the material with excellent solution processability. The outstanding mechanical performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of hydrogen-bonding interactions among PBI macromolecules and the robust three-dimensional crosslinked network within the semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (Semi-IPNs) architecture. This work establishes an optimal balance between mechanical robustness and processability, offering a viable strategy for designing high-performance polymeric materials suitable for extreme service conditions. The developed resin shows promising potential for applications in precision additive manufacturing, aerospace, military equipment, and other advanced technological fields.

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