Kinetics and thermal properties of epoxy resins containing the ionic liquid [C6mim]FeCl4

Abstract

The 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazole ferrum tetrachloride salt ([C₆mim]FeCl₄) and mixed amines were blended in different mass ratios with bisphenol-A epoxy resin E-51 to obtain a series of cured products at room temperature. The thermal decomposition of the cured products was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal degradation temperatures changed as a function of different mass ratios of [C₆mim]FeCl₄. The kinetics of thermal decomposition were then analyzed by the Flynne–Walle–Ozawa method. The results show that the incorporation of [C₆mim]FeCl₄ is a better way to improve the performance of room-temperature curing epoxy resins.