Zirconia Hybrid Oxides Reinforced Bio‐Based Benzoxazine/Epoxy Composites for Thermal, High Dielectric and Superhydrophobic Applications

ABSTRACT The non‐sustainability of conventional benzoxazine and epoxy resins is highly concerning and the development of suitable bio‐alternative materials is very much warranted without compromising the end properties. Considering the preceding fact, the present study reports the synthesis of bio‐based tetrafunctional benzoxazine (T‐f) and epoxy (T‐e) blends to attain a highly thermally stable hybrid polymer system. Upon blending T‐e with T‐f, the curing temperature is reduced from 225°C to 175°C. Also, the prepared epoxy resin shows a curing temperature of 230°C. The blend shows excellent thermal stability with a char yield of 59%. Also, two ceramic‐based fillers were prepared and reinforced into the blend. The thermal stability of the composites was increased remarkably with a char yield up to 70%. Also, the dielectric constant of the composites was increased to 6.54 at 10 MHz. The ceramic composites show superhydrophobic behavior with a water contact angle reaching up to 161°.