Novel silicon-modified phenolic novolac resins: Non-isothermal curing kinetics, and mechanical and thermal properties of their biofiber-reinforced composites

- A biobased silicon modifier was used to modify phenolic novolac (SPN) by copolymerization.
- The model-free isoconversional method was successfully applied in describing the cure reaction of SPN precisely in the entire conversion range.
- The flow activation energy and viscosity of SPN is lower than NR, which could be accumulated the silicon modifier.
- According to model-free isconversional methods, the relationship between activation energy and conversion rates were acquired, and SPN/HMTA showed higher activation energy in the whole range compared with NR/HMTA.