Issue 9, 2022

Enhancement of intrinsic thermal conductivity of liquid crystalline epoxy through the strategy of interlocked polymer networks

Abstract

To enhance the intrinsic thermal conduction of liquid crystalline epoxy (LCE), a novel strategy based on interlocked polymer networks is proposed. Two cured versions of LCE respectively containing Schiff base bonds and Diels–Alder (DA) bonds are synthesized, and then well mixed in a co-solvent enabling topological reorganization of the single LCE networks via the reversible reactions of the built-in dynamic covalent bonds. The thermal conductivity of the interlocked LCE networks prepared according to the optimal formulation offered by orthogonal design is significantly increased in comparison with the parent single-LCE networks. Besides, although the thermal conductivity of the raw LCE employed in the current work is not that high and the mesogen monomer has the simplest structure, the interlocked networks are able to bring the liquid crystals into full play without changing the chemical structure of the mesogens, as characterized by the very high thermal conductivity per unit weight of liquid crystal. Further investigation of the underlying mechanism suggests that the synergy among the mesogens, the interlocked structure and the inter-component hydrogen bonds accounts for the promotion of heat transmission. Considering the easy access of the relevant chemicals and the simplicity of the materials preparation, the technology developed in the present work may have remarkable potential for future applications.

Graphical abstract: Enhancement of intrinsic thermal conductivity of liquid crystalline epoxy through the strategy of interlocked polymer networks

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
03 feb 2022
Accepted
28 mar 2022
First published
30 mar 2022

Mater. Chem. Front., 2022,6, 1137-1149

Enhancement of intrinsic thermal conductivity of liquid crystalline epoxy through the strategy of interlocked polymer networks

S. J. Yuan, Z. Q. Peng, M. Z. Rong and M. Q. Zhang, Mater. Chem. Front., 2022, 6, 1137 DOI: 10.1039/D2QM00090C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements