Bamboo is a suitable template for polymerizations

摘要

In situ hydrosilation reactions and ring-opening metathesis polymerizations were demonstrated to occur in bulk samples of bamboo. Bamboo was infused with silicone precursors or cyclodiene monomers with the assistance of supercritical CO2 and subsequently crosslinked or polymerized, respectively. Bending stiffness, energy release rate, and specific fire resistance properties of the bamboo-polymer composites were measured and compared with unmodified bamboo. Bamboo-silicone composites showed an increase in fire resistance and a slight increase in mechanical properties. The bamboo-poly(alkenamer) composites showed significant increases in mechanical properties. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.