Synthesis and characterization of phenolic novolacs modified by chestnut and mimosa tannin extracts

Abstract The possibility of reacting chestnut and mimosa tannins with the intermediates of the synthesis reaction for phenolic novolacs under acid conditions has been proved using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The amount of intermediate compounds and the percentage of free phenol and formaldehyde in the reaction mixture is decisive for the determination of the stage in which the addition of tannin is suitable. Synthesis of novolac resins modified with 14 wt % mimosa tannin extract or with several percentages (until 40 wt %) of chestnut tannin have been performed. The reaction pathways have been investigated by DSC, fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Ester groups of chestnut tannin result in a reaction pathway different from the one for mimosa‐modified resins and nonmodified resins. Preliminary studies of curing reactions of synthesized resins with hexamethylenetetramine indicate that the cure of modified‐resins is even more favorable than the one for nonmodified resins. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4412–4419, 2006