Epoxy‐amine based thermoresponsive networks designed by Diels–Alder reactions

The synthesis of Diels–Alder (DA) adducts from stoichiometric quantities of a new multi‐maleimide dienophile and epoxy‐amine type oligomers bearing furan group units on their side chains was investigated. Precursors of the DA reaction were first synthesized and their functionalities were determined by 1 H NMR and gel permeation chromatography/SEC analysis. TGA and DSC were used to characterize their thermal properties. In this study, the effect of the multi‐furan diene functionality on the network density was analyzed. Rheological analysis was used to highlight the thermal reversibility of the DA reaction and to calculate the average molar weight between crosslinks. The results showed that network density could be regulated or modulated by varying the functionality of the diene.