Molecular Structure of Reactive Polycarbonate–Amine Interfaces Characterized by IR-Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry.

Solid-state reactions of Polycarbonate are quite complex and totally different to reactions in solution state. As various reaction pathways with different kinetics may occur, the in-depth characterization of molecular processes is not only of technological importance but also essential for understanding the reactive processing of Polycarbonate. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a molecular sensitive technique to characterize the formation of functional groups as well as their intermolecular and intramolecular interaction. The formation of low amounts of Bisphenol-A as a side product leads to the formation of mixed phases containing both, PC and Bisphenol-A. Bisphenol-A is soluble in Polycarbonate and serves as a plasticizer for the Polycarbonate phase. An intermolecular interaction between both compounds is observed. The maximum reduction of glass transition temperature of about 100 K is determined for Polycarbonate mixed with different amounts of Bisphenol-A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]