One‐Component Degradable High‐Thermal‐Conductivity Liquid Crystal Epoxy Resins and Their Composites Based on Self‐Curing Strategy

High thermal conductivity liquid crystal epoxy resins (LCERs) and their composites are essential for efficient thermal management in electronic devices. The production of LCERs currently depends on combining epoxy monomers and hardeners or catalysts. However, these curing agents or catalysts destroy the liquid crystal phase in the crosslinked network, thereby limiting the thermal conductivity of LCERs. Here, a novel self-curing strategy is developed by incorporating a Schiff base into liquid crystal epoxy monomers, enabling the curing of monomers without additional agents or catalysts. This self-curing method effectively retains the ordered liquid crystal phase in the LCERs. Therefore, the self-cured LCEP-SC resin achieves a thermal conductivity of 0.36 W mK<sup>-1</sup>, 133% higher than amine-cured LCEP-DDM, ≈1.8 times higher than that of general bisphenol A epoxy resin (E51-DDM, 0.2 W mK<sup>-1</sup>). LCEP-SC-BN composites with 10 wt.% BN further exhibit a thermal conductivity of 0.61 W mK<sup>-1</sup>, surpassing LCEP-DDM-BN composites by 42%. Additionally, the dynamic Schiff base structure allows LCERs degradation in acidic DMF/water solutions, enabling efficient recovery of BN fillers. This self-curing strategy provides a sustainable pathway for developing high thermal conductivity LCERs and their composites, offering enhanced thermal conductivity and recyclability for advanced electronic applications.

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Publication Details

Journal
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
Published
2025-03-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500114
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Thermal properties of materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.55

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article

One‐Component Degradable High‐Thermal‐Conductivity Liquid Crystal Epoxy Resins and Their Composites Based on Self‐Curing Strategy

Hui Xie, Zhiyong Xue, Caizhen Zhu, Lukun Feng et al.
3 citations
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
Thermal properties of materials
1.55
article

One‐Component Degradable High‐Thermal‐Conductivity Liquid Crystal Epoxy Resins and Their Composites Based on Self‐Curing Strategy

Hui Xie, Zhiyong Xue, Caizhen Zhu, Lukun Feng, Changbo Zhao, Feng Bao, Mingliang Wang, Xiyan Li, Yuxin Liu, Guohua Huang, Jian Xu
article en
3 citations

Abstract

High thermal conductivity liquid crystal epoxy resins (LCERs) and their composites are essential for efficient thermal management in electronic devices. The production of LCERs currently depends on combining epoxy monomers and hardeners or catalysts. However, these curing agents or catalysts destroy the liquid crystal phase in the crosslinked network, thereby limiting the thermal conductivity of LCERs. Here, a novel self-curing strategy is developed by incorporating a Schiff base into liquid crystal epoxy monomers, enabling the curing of monomers without additional agents or catalysts. This self-curing method effectively retains the ordered liquid crystal phase in the LCERs. Therefore, the self-cured LCEP-SC resin achieves a thermal conductivity of 0.36 W mK<sup>-1</sup>, 133% higher than amine-cured LCEP-DDM, ≈1.8 times higher than that of general bisphenol A epoxy resin (E51-DDM, 0.2 W mK<sup>-1</sup>). LCEP-SC-BN composites with 10 wt.% BN further exhibit a thermal conductivity of 0.61 W mK<sup>-1</sup>, surpassing LCEP-DDM-BN composites by 42%. Additionally, the dynamic Schiff base structure allows LCERs degradation in acidic DMF/water solutions, enabling efficient recovery of BN fillers. This self-curing strategy provides a sustainable pathway for developing high thermal conductivity LCERs and their composites, offering enhanced thermal conductivity and recyclability for advanced electronic applications.

Macromolecular Rapid CommunicationsVol. 46(15)
North China Electric Power University (CN), Shenzhen University (CN)
Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Thermal properties of materials
1.55
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