Structural effects of highly π-conjugated mesogenic Schiff-base moiety on the cationic polymerization of benzoxazine and formation of ordered morphologies

A Schiff-base moiety was introduced into the chemical structure of benzoxazine through the Mannich reaction. With alternative imine groups (CN) and benzene rings in the chain segment, these highly π-conjugated systems favored the formation of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds to the hydroxyl groups generated during polymerization, leading to a thermally initiated cationic polymerization mechanism. Compared with the bisphenol-A-based benzoxazine, the benzoxazine with the Schiff-base moiety needs higher energy to facilitate the realization of polymerization and to increase polymerization degree. In addition to the influences on the polymerization, the highly π-conjugated Schiff-base acting as a mesogenic moiety is found to form liquid crystal (LC) phases, like the nematic phase and smectic phase. Interestingly, some LC-rich domains can be stabilized by the polybenzoxazine network, which will contribute to form nitrogen-rich ordered porous carbon at the carbonization stage. For N2 and CO2 adsorption-desorption process, the carbon exhibits an enhanced CO2 adsorption performance, suggesting their capture and separation capacity for CO2.