Synthesis and thermal properties of liquid crystalline thermoset containing rigid-rod epoxy

4,4′-diglycidyloxy-α-methylstilbene (DOMS) and a novel liquid crystalline thermoset, D2A1 which is obtained from the reaction between DOMS and aniline were synthesized. The thermosets have been characterized with cross-polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and other techniques. D2A1 was smectic at room temperature and turned to nematic at 85°C upon heating, then turned isotropic at 135°C. Activation energies for decomposition (E_d) using TGA were calculated according to the technique of Flynn-Wall to determine E_d as a function of conversion α by a weight loss process.