Spectral Manifestation of Supramolecular Structure Formation in Phenolic and Urethane Polymers with Boric Acid

Abstract

Composites derived from phenolic and urethane polymers were studied using spectral and thermographic methods. Boric acid was used as a modifier. Quantum chemical calculations of fragments simulating the structure of these composites were carried out using the density functional theory method. It has been suggested that the greater heat resistance and reduced flammability of the modified polymer foams result from a chemical reaction of the polymer matrix with the modifier. In this case, the formation of a supramolecular structure of the urethane polymer is attributed to binding through the boroxide group, while the formation of boroxine fragments is characteristic of the phenolic polymer.