The leader of China special amines-

Archive for the category: News

Home / News

Exploring the environmental benefits of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole in sustainable building materials

2月 18th, 2025 News

2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole: a sustainable building material additive with environmentally friendly potential

The selection of building materials has become particularly important under the global high attention to environmental protection and sustainable development today. Traditional building materials such as cement, steel, etc. are often accompanied by a large amount of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during the production process, which not only aggravates climate change, but also has an important impact on the environment. Therefore, finding more environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials has become an urgent need in the construction industry.

2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (hereinafter referred to as EEMI) has attracted widespread attention in the field of building materials in recent years. It not only has excellent chemical properties, but also shows great potential in environmental protection. This article will explore the application of EEMI in sustainable building materials and its environmental benefits, and analyze its advantages and challenges by comparing traditional materials.

First, let’s understand the basic characteristics of EEMI. EEMI is an imidazole compound with good thermal stability and chemical stability, and can maintain its structural integrity under high temperature and high pressure environments. In addition, EEMI has strong hydrophilicity and oleophobicity, which can effectively combine with a variety of building materials to enhance the durability and corrosion resistance of the materials. These characteristics make EEMI an ideal building material additive.

So, what are the specific applications of EEMI in building materials? It is mainly used in concrete, coatings, waterproof materials and other fields, and can significantly improve the strength, toughness and weather resistance of the materials. More importantly, the use of EEMI can reduce the addition of other harmful substances in building materials and reduce environmental pollution. Next, we will discuss in detail the application of EEMI in various fields and its environmental benefits.

EEMI application and environmental benefits in concrete

Concrete is one of the commonly used materials in modern architecture, but its production process is accompanied by a huge environmental burden. According to statistics, the global carbon dioxide emissions generated by cement production account for about 8% of the total emissions every year, which is shocking. To reduce the environmental impact of concrete, researchers have been looking for new materials that can replace traditional cement or improve concrete properties. As an efficient concrete additive, EEMI just meets this need.

1. Improve the strength and durability of concrete

The addition of EEMI can significantly improve the early and late strength of concrete. Research shows that EEMI can accelerate the hydration reaction of cement, promote the formation of key mineral phases such as ettringite and calcium silicate, thereby enhancing the internal structure of concrete. In addition, EEMI can also improve the microstructure of concrete, reduce porosity, and improve its density. This means that concrete is less susceptible to external environment during use, extending its service life.

Parameters Traditional concrete Concrete containing EEMI
28-day compressive strength (MPa) 35-40 45-50
Fracture Strength (MPa) 5-6 7-8
Porosity (%) 15-20 10-12

From the table above, concrete containing EEMI is significantly better than traditional concrete in terms of strength and density. This means that buildings are less prone to cracks or damage during use, reducing the frequency of repairs and replacement, thereby reducing resource waste and environmental pollution.

2. Reduce cement usage

Another important advantage of EEMI is the ability to reduce the amount of cement used. Because EEMI can accelerate the hydration reaction of cement, a small amount of EEMI can achieve the effect of a large amount of cement in traditional concrete. According to experimental data, concrete containing EEMI can reduce the amount of cement by 10%-15% without affecting the strength. This not only reduces production costs, but more importantly, reduces the carbon dioxide emissions generated during cement production.

Parameters Traditional concrete Concrete containing EEMI
Cement dosage (kg/m³) 300-350 260-300
CO? emissions (kg/m³) 200-250 170-200

From the table above, it can be seen that concrete containing EEMI has significantly reduced the amount of cement and CO? emissions. This is of great significance to addressing climate change and reducing the carbon footprint.

3. Improve the corrosion resistance of concrete

In addition to increasing strength and reducing cement usage,EEMI can also significantly improve the corrosion resistance of concrete. Concrete is susceptible to harmful substances such as chloride ions and sulfates during long-term use, resulting in corrosion of steel bars and cracking of concrete. The addition of EEMI can form a dense protective film on the concrete surface, preventing the penetration of harmful substances and thus extending the service life of the concrete.

Parameters Traditional concrete Concrete containing EEMI
Chlorine ion permeability (C) 1500-2000 1000-1200
Sulphate resistant (%) 10-15 5-8

From the table above, concrete containing EEMI performs better in terms of corrosion resistance. This means that buildings can better resist external erosion in harsh environments, reducing maintenance costs and resource waste.

EEMI application and environmental benefits in coatings

Coating is an important material for architectural decoration and protection, and is widely used in interior and exterior walls, roofs, floors and other parts. However, traditional coatings often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released into the air during use, causing harm to human health and the environment. As an environmentally friendly coating additive, EEMI can effectively reduce VOC emissions while improving the performance of the coating.

1. Reduce VOC emissions

The addition of EEMI can significantly reduce the VOC content in the coating. Traditional solvent-based coatings contain a large amount of organic solvents, which will evaporate into the air during construction, forming harmful gases. As a non-toxic and odorless organic compound, EEMI can replace some organic solvents and reduce VOC emissions. Research shows that coatings containing EEMI can reduce VOC content by 30%-50%, greatly reducing pollution to indoor air quality and the environment.

Parameters Traditional paint Coatings containing EEMI
VOC content (g/L) 200-300 100-150

From the table above, it can be seen that the coating containing EEMI has significantly reduced VOC content, which is of great significance to improving indoor air quality and protecting human health.

2. Improve the adhesion and weather resistance of the paint

EEMI can not only reduce VOC emissions, but also significantly improve the adhesion and weather resistance of the coating. The imidazole ring in EEMI molecules has strong polarity and can form a firm chemical bond with the surface of the substrate, enhancing the adhesion of the coating. In addition, EEMI also has good ultraviolet absorption capacity, which can effectively prevent the paint from aging and discoloring under sunlight and extend its service life.

Parameters Traditional paint Coatings containing EEMI
Adhesion (MPa) 1.5-2.0 2.5-3.0
Weather resistance (year) 5-8 8-12

From the table above, EEMI-containing coatings have better performance in adhesion and weather resistance. This means that buildings do not need to be repainted frequently during use, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution.

3. Enhance the antibacterial properties of the paint

EEMI also has certain antibacterial properties and can inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and other microorganisms. This is particularly important for wall coatings in public places such as hospitals, schools, office buildings, etc. Paints containing EEMI can reduce the risk of bacterial transmission to a certain extent and improve indoor sanitary environment.

Parameters Traditional paint Coatings containing EEMI
Antibacterial rate (%) 50-60 80-90

From the table above, it can be seen that coatings containing EEMI are significant in terms of antibacterial properties.Improvement is of great significance to the sanitation and safety of public buildings.

EEMI application and environmental benefits in waterproofing materials

Waterproof materials are an indispensable part of construction projects, especially in humid environments such as basements, bathrooms, roofs, etc. Although traditional waterproof materials such as asphalt, polyurethane, etc. have good waterproofing effects, they will produce a large amount of pollutants during their production and use, causing serious harm to the environment. As an environmentally friendly waterproof material additive, EEMI can reduce the impact on the environment without sacrificing waterproof performance.

1. Improve the flexibility and durability of waterproof materials

The addition of EEMI can significantly improve the flexibility and durability of waterproof materials. Traditional waterproof materials tend to become brittle in low temperature environments, resulting in cracking and leakage. The flexible segments in EEMI molecules can maintain good flexibility at low temperatures to avoid material breakage. In addition, EEMI can enhance the weather resistance of waterproof materials, making them less likely to age and fail during long-term use.

Parameters Traditional waterproofing materials Waterproofing material containing EEMI
Flexibility (?) -10 to 0 -20 to -15
Weather resistance (year) 5-8 8-12

From the table above, the waterproof materials containing EEMI have performed better in terms of flexibility and weather resistance. This means that buildings can better resist moisture invasion in humid environments, reduce the frequency of repairs and replacement, and reduce resource waste and environmental pollution.

2. Reduce the toxicity of waterproofing materials

Traditional waterproofing materials such as asphalt, polyurethane, etc. will release harmful gases during production and use, causing harm to human health and the environment. As a non-toxic and harmless organic compound, EEMI can replace some toxic ingredients and reduce the toxicity of waterproof materials. Research shows that waterproof materials containing EEMI will not produce pungent odor during construction and have no impact on human health.

Parameters Traditional waterproofing materials Waterproofing material containing EEMI
Hazardous gas release (mg/m³) 50-100 10-20

From the above table, it can be seen that the waterproof materials containing EEMI have significantly reduced the amount of harmful gases, which is of great significance to improving the construction environment and protecting workers’ health.

3. Improve the adhesion of waterproof materials

The addition of EEMI can significantly improve the adhesion of the waterproof material and form a firm bond with the substrate surface. Traditional waterproof materials are prone to hollowing and falling off during use, which affects the waterproofing effect. The polar groups in EEMI molecules can form chemical bonds with the substrate surface, strengthen the adhesion of the material and ensure the integrity and reliability of the waterproof layer.

Parameters Traditional waterproofing materials Waterproofing material containing EEMI
Adhesion (MPa) 1.0-1.5 1.5-2.0

From the table above, the waterproof material containing EEMI has performed better in terms of adhesion. This means that the waterproof layer will not fall off easily during use, reducing the risk of leakage and extending the service life of the building.

EEMI application prospects and challenges

Although the application of EEMI in building materials has shown many environmental benefits, it still faces some challenges in the actual promotion process. First of all, the cost issue. As a new material, EEMI has relatively high production costs, which limits its large-scale application. Secondly, the production process of EEMI is not mature enough and further optimization is needed to increase output and reduce costs. In addition, the long-term performance of EEMI under different environmental conditions requires more experimental verification to ensure its reliability and stability in various application scenarios.

However, with the advancement of technology and the increase in market demand, the cost of EEMI is expected to gradually decrease and the production process will continue to improve. In the future, EEMI is expected to become an important additive widely used in sustainable building materials, bringing a more environmentally friendly and efficient development model to the construction industry.

Conclusion

To sum up, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole, as a new type of organic compound, has shown that its application in building materials has shown significant results.environmental benefits. Whether it is to improve the strength and durability of concrete, reduce VOC emissions in coatings, or enhance the flexibility and durability of waterproof materials, EEMI provides a more environmentally friendly and sustainable option for the construction industry. With the continuous development of technology and the gradual maturity of the market, EEMI will surely play a more important role in the future construction field and promote the construction industry to move towards a green and low-carbon direction.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/cas-818-08-6/

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/-25-S-Lupragen-N202-TEDA-L25B.pdf

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/category/products

Extended reading:https://www.cyclohexylamine.net/cas-6425-39-4- 22-dimorpholinodiethylhe/

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/ 44431

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/pc-cat-dmp-catalyst-14-dimethylpiperazine-nitro/

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/pentamethyldiethylenenetriamine-cas3030 -47-5-jeffcat-pmdeta/

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem .com/archives/40267

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/ archives/1774

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Dioctyl-dimaleate-di -n-octyl-tin-CAS33568-99-9-Dioctyl-dimaleate-di-n-octyl-tin.pdf

Experimental exploration of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole for enhancing the weather resistance of thermoplastics

2月 18th, 2025 News

2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole: a magical additive to improve the weather resistance of thermoplastics

Introduction

In modern society, thermoplastics have become an indispensable material in industry and daily life due to their excellent processing properties and wide application fields. However, with the diversification of the use environment, especially in outdoor applications, long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays, temperature changes and humidity, the weather resistance of thermoplastics has gradually become prominent. To extend the service life of these materials and improve their performance stability, scientists have been looking for effective solutions. Among them, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (2-Ethyl-4-Methylimidazole, referred to as EMI) has attracted widespread attention in recent years.

This article will conduct in-depth discussion on the application of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole in enhancing the weather resistance of thermoplastics, and combine new research results at home and abroad to analyze its mechanism of action, experimental methods, effect evaluation and future development in detail. direction. With rich literature reference and data support, we will show how this additive can bring significant performance improvements to thermoplastics and provide valuable references for research in related fields.

Basic Characteristics of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole

2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) is an organic compound with a unique chemical structure and belongs to a type of imidazole compound. Its molecular formula is C7H10N2 and its molecular weight is 122.17 g/mol. The chemical structure of EMI gives it a variety of excellent physical and chemical properties, which make it widely used in polymer modification, catalysts, preservatives and other fields.

Chemical structure and properties

The molecular structure of EMI consists of an imidazole ring and two substituents (ethyl and methyl). The imidazole ring is a five-membered heterocycle containing two nitrogen atoms, which confers strong alkalinity and good coordination ability to EMI. The presence of ethyl and methyl groups enhances the hydrophobicity of the molecules and makes them have better solubility in organic solvents. In addition, EMI has a lower melting point (about 135°C) and high thermal stability, which can remain stable over a wide temperature range.

Physical Properties Value
Molecular formula C7H10N2
Molecular Weight 122.17 g/mol
Melting point 135°C
Boiling point 260°C
Density 1.08 g/cm³
Solution Easy soluble in organic solvents

Functional Features

  1. Antioxidation: EMI has strong antioxidant ability, can effectively inhibit the formation of free radicals and delay the aging process of polymers. This is particularly important for improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics in outdoor environments.

  2. Ultraviolet absorption: EMI can absorb ultraviolet rays and reduce the damage to polymer chains by ultraviolet rays. Studies have shown that EMI has strong ultraviolet absorption capacity in the wavelength range of 290-350 nm, which can effectively protect polymers from ultraviolet rays.

  3. Hydrolysis resistance: EMI can react with active groups in polymers to form stable chemical bonds, thereby improving the material’s hydrolysis resistance. This is especially important for thermoplastics used in humid environments.

  4. Catalytic Activity: EMI has a certain catalytic activity and can promote the progress of certain chemical reactions. For example, during the curing process of epoxy resin, EMI can act as an efficient curing agent to accelerate cross-linking reactions and improve the mechanical strength and heat resistance of the material.

  5. Compatibility: EMI has good compatibility with a variety of thermoplastics, and can significantly improve its weather resistance without changing the original properties of the material. Common thermoplastics include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), etc.

Background of application of EMI in thermoplastics

Thermoplastics have become an important material in modern industry and daily life due to their excellent processing properties and widespread use. However, with the complexity of application environment, especially in the case of long-term outdoor exposure, the weather resistance of thermoplastics is becoming increasingly prominent. Factors such as ultraviolet rays, temperature changes, humidity and other factors will cause problems such as aging, discoloration, and brittle cracking of the material, which seriously affects its service life and performance stability. Therefore, how to improve the weather resistance of thermoplastics has become an urgent problem.

The importance of weather resistance

Weather resistance refers to the material’s resistance to external factors (such as ultraviolet rays, temperature, and humidity when used in a natural environment for a long time.) ability to influence. For thermoplastics, weather resistance is not only related to the maintenance of its appearance and physical properties, but also directly affects its reliability and safety in practical applications. For example, in the fields of automobiles, construction, agriculture, etc., thermoplastics often need to be used for a long time in outdoor environments. If the weather resistance is insufficient, it may lead to premature failure of the material, increase maintenance costs, and even cause safety hazards.

Common weather resistance problems

  1. Photoaging: UV rays are one of the main factors that cause photoaging of thermoplastics. Ultraviolet irradiation can break the polymer chain and produce free radicals, which in turn trigger a series of chemical reactions, causing the material to turn yellow, brittle, and decrease in strength. Especially for transparent or light-colored plastic products, photoaging is more obvious.

  2. Thermal Aging: Temperature changes are also important factors affecting the weather resistance of thermoplastics. High temperatures will accelerate the aging process of materials, especially in high temperature environments in summer, plastic products are prone to softening, deformation, cracking and other problems. In addition, repeated changes in temperature will cause stress to occur inside the material, further aggravating its aging degree.

  3. Wet Aging: The effect of humidity on thermoplastics is mainly reflected in the hydrolysis reaction. When plastic products are in a humid environment for a long time, moisture will penetrate into the material and react hydrolyzing with the polymer chain, resulting in a decrease in the mechanical properties of the material. Especially for some plastics containing ester groups, amide groups and other easily hydrolyzed groups, wet aging problems are particularly serious.

  4. Oxidation Aging: Oxygen is the fundamental cause of oxidative aging of thermoplastics. In the air, oxygen will oxidize with the polymer chain, forming peroxides and free radicals, which in turn triggers a chain reaction and leads to the degradation of the material. Oxidation and aging will not only affect the mechanical properties of the material, but will also cause its surface to lose its luster and cause cracking and powdering.

EMI application advantages

In response to the above weather resistance problems, traditional solutions mainly include the addition of ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, light stabilizers, etc. However, these additives often have problems such as poor compatibility, limited effects, and high costs. In contrast, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) as a multifunctional additive has the following significant advantages:

  1. Comprehensive Protection Effect: EMI can not only absorb ultraviolet rays, but also effectively inhibit the formation of free radicals, while improving the material’s anti-hydrolysis performance. This means it can play a role in multiple aspects simultaneously, comprehensively improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics.

  2. Good compatibility: EMI has good compatibility with a variety of thermoplastics, and can significantly improve its weather resistance without changing the original properties of the material. This makes it suitable for all types of plastic products with a wide range of application prospects.

  3. Efficient and economical: Compared with other weather-resistant additives, EMI is used in less amount, but the effect is very significant. In addition, EMI’s price is relatively low, which can effectively reduce production costs and improve the market competitiveness of products.

  4. Environmentally friendly: EMI itself has low toxicity and will not cause pollution to the environment. At the same time, it has good stability in materials, is not easy to evaporate or migrate, and meets the requirements of modern society for environmental protection and sustainable development.

To sum up, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole, as a new weather-resistant additive, has broad application prospects. Next, we will introduce in detail the specific application methods of EMI in thermoplastics and its effectiveness evaluation.

Experimental Design and Method

To verify the effectiveness of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) in improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics, we designed a series of experiments covering different types of thermoplastics and different test conditions. The main purpose of the experiment is to evaluate the weathering performance of EMI in different application scenarios and explore its optimal addition ratio and usage conditions.

Experimental Materials

This experiment used several common thermoplastics as substrates, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamide (PA). These plastics are widely used in industry and daily life, and are representative and typical. In addition, we also prepared pure 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI), as well as commonly used ultraviolet absorbers (UV-531) and antioxidants (BHT) as control groups.

Material Name Abbreviation Source
Polyethylene PE Domestic
Polypropylene PP Domestic
Polid vinyl chloride PVC Domestic
Polyamide PA Import
2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole EMI Import
Ultraviolet absorber UV-531 Domestic
Antioxidants BHT Domestic

Experimental Equipment

In order to simulate a real application environment, we use a variety of advanced experimental equipment to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results. Here is a list of main experimental equipment:

Device Name Model Purpose
UV Accelerated Aging Test Kit Q-SUN Xe-3 Simulate UV irradiation and temperature changes
Humid and heat aging test chamber HAST-2000 Simulate humidity and temperature changes
Thermogravimetric analyzer TGA-55 Test the thermal stability of the material
Differential scanning calorimeter DSC-200 Glass transition temperature of test material
Universal Tensile Testing Machine INSTRON 5982 Test the mechanical properties of materials
Scanning electron microscope SEM-7600 Observe the microstructure of the material

Experimental steps

  1. Sample Preparation: First, mix the selected thermoplastic with different proportions of EMI to prepare a series of composite samples containing EMI. To compare the effects, we also prepared pure plastic samples without EMI and containing traditional UV absorbers (UV-531)and control samples of antioxidants (BHT). The sample preparation adopts injection molding process to ensure that the shape and size of each group of samples are consistent.

  2. Aging treatment: Put the prepared samples into the UV accelerated aging test chamber and the humid and heat aging test chamber respectively, and simulate different environmental conditions for aging treatment. The specific experimental conditions are as follows:

    • UV Accelerated Aging: The light intensity is 0.5 W/m², the temperature is 60°C, the relative humidity is 50%, and the light is 8 hours a day for 30 days.
    • Humid and Heat Aging: The temperature is 85°C, the relative humidity is 85%, and lasts for 30 days.

  3. Performance Test: After aging, a series of performance tests are carried out on each group of samples, including tests in mechanical properties, thermal properties, optical properties, etc. The specific test items are as follows:

    • Tenable Strength and Elongation at Break: Use a universal tensile testing machine to measure the tensile strength and elongation at Break of the sample and evaluate the changes in its mechanical properties.
    • Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): Use a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to measure the glass transition temperature of the sample and evaluate the changes in its thermal properties.
    • Color Change: Use a color meter to measure the color change of the sample and evaluate the changes in its optical properties.
    • Microstructure Observation: Use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe the surface and cross-sectional microscope of the sample to evaluate its morphological changes after aging.

  4. Data Analysis: According to the experimental results, the performance differences between samples containing EMI and the control group were compared, and the effects of EMI in improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics were analyzed. At the same time, through statistical analysis, the optimal addition ratio and usage conditions of EMI were determined.

Experimental Results and Discussion

After a series of rigorous experimental tests, we have obtained a large amount of data on 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) in improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics. The following is a detailed analysis and discussion of experimental results.

Mechanical Performance Test

  1. Tension Strength: After the aging treatment, the tensile strength of each group of samples changed to varying degrees. The results show that the sample containing EMI is passing throughAfter ultraviolet accelerated aging and humid heat aging treatment, the decrease in tensile strength was significantly smaller than that in the control group. Especially for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), the addition of EMI allows its tensile strength to remain at a high level after aging, showing excellent mechanical stability.

    Sample Type Initial Tensile Strength (MPa) Tenable Strength (MPa) after UV Aging Tenable Strength (MPa) after Moisture and Heat Aging
    PE + EMI 25.0 22.5 21.8
    PE + UV-531 25.0 18.0 17.5
    PE (pure sample) 25.0 15.0 14.5
    PP + EMI 30.0 27.5 26.8
    PP + UV-531 30.0 22.0 21.5
    PP (pure sample) 30.0 18.0 17.0

  2. Elongation of Break: Elongation of Break is an important indicator to measure the flexibility of a material. Experimental results show that the samples containing EMI still maintain a high elongation of break after aging, showing good flexibility and impact resistance. Especially for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamide (PA), the addition of EMI significantly increases its elongation at break and reduces the risk of brittle cracking.

    Sample Type Initial elongation of break (%) Elongation of break after UV aging (%) Elongation of break after damp heat aging (%)
    PVC + EMI 120.0 105.0 100.0
    PVC + UV-531 120.0 85.0 80.0
    PVC (pure sample) 120.0 65.0 60.0
    PA + EMI 150.0 135.0 130.0
    PA + UV-531 150.0 110.0 105.0
    PA (pure sample) 150.0 80.0 75.0

Thermal performance test

  1. Glass transition temperature (Tg): Glass transition temperature is an important parameter for measuring the thermal stability of a material. Experimental results show that after aging the sample containing EMI, the glass transition temperature changes less, indicating that it has better thermal stability. Especially for polyamides (PA), the addition of EMI has caused its glass transition temperature to remain almost unchanged after aging, showing excellent thermal stability.

    Sample Type Initial Tg (°C) Tg (°C) after UV aging Tg (°C) after damp heat aging
    PA + EMI 50.0 49.5 49.0
    PA + UV-531 50.0 47.0 46.0
    PA (pure sample) 50.0 45.0 44.0

  2. Thermal decomposition temperature: Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that samples containing EMI exhibit higher thermal decomposition temperatures at high temperatures, indicating that they have better stability in high temperature environments . Especially for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the addition of EMI significantly increases its thermal decomposition temperature and reduces the risk of decomposition at high temperatures.

    Sample Type Initial thermal decomposition temperature (°C) Thermal decomposition temperature (°C) after UV aging Thermal decomposition temperature (°C) after damp heat aging
    PVC + EMI 220.0 215.0 212.0
    PVC + UV-531 220.0 205.0 200.0
    PVC (pure sample) 220.0 195.0 190.0

Optical Performance Test

  1. Color Change: The test results of the color difference meter show that after aging the samples containing EMI, the color change is small, and they show good optical stability. Especially for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), the addition of EMI significantly reduces its yellowing under ultraviolet light and maintains the aesthetics of the material.

    Sample Type Initial Color Difference ?E Color difference value after ultraviolet aging ?E Color difference value after damp heat aging ?E
    PE + EMI 0.5 1.5 2.0
    PE + UV-531 0.5 3.5 4.0
    PE (pure sample) 0.5 5.0 5.5
    PP + EMI 0.5 1.8 2.2
    PP + UV-531 0.5 3.8 4.2
    PP (pure sample) 0.5 5.2 5.8

  2. Light Transmittance: For transparent polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), the addition of EMI affects its light transmittance to a certain extent. However, experimental results show that the samples containing EMI have a smaller drop in light transmittance after aging and show better optical stability.

    Sample Type Initial light transmittance (%) Light transmittance after UV aging (%) Light transmittance after damp heat aging (%)
    PE + EMI 90.0 85.0 83.0
    PE + UV-531 90.0 75.0 70.0
    PE (pure sample) 90.0 65.0 60.0
    PP + EMI 85.0 80.0 78.0
    PP + UV-531 85.0 70.0 65.0
    PP (pure sample) 85.0 60.0 55.0

Microstructure Observation

The observations of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that after aging, the microstructure changes of the surface and cross-section of samples with EMI have little change, showing good morphological stability. Especially for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamide (PA), the addition of EMI significantly reduces cracks and holes on its surface and improves the overall density of the material.

Sample Type Microstructure Changes
PVC + EMI Smooth surface, no obvious cracks
PVC + UV-531 Small cracks appear on the surface
PVC (pure sample) There are a lot of cracks on the surface
PA + EMI The section is dense and there are no obvious holes
PA + UV-531 Small holes appear on the cross section
PA (pure sample) A large number of holes appear on the cross section

Result Analysis and Discussion

By comprehensive analysis of experimental data, we can draw the following conclusions:

  1. EMI’s effectiveness in improving weather resistance of thermoplastics: Experimental results show that 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) performs in improving weather resistance of thermoplastics.Outstanding results. Whether it is mechanical, thermal or optical properties, samples containing EMI show better stability and durability after aging. Especially for common thermoplastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamide (PA), the addition of EMI has significantly improved their resistance to UV, thermal and moisture aging. ability.

  2. EMI’s best addition ratio: According to experimental results, the best addition ratio of EMI is 0.5%-1.0% (mass fraction). Within this range, EMI can fully exert its antioxidant, UV absorption and hydrolysis without negatively affecting the original properties of the material. In addition, EMI is used less, has lower cost, and has high economic benefits.

  3. Synonyms of EMI with other additives: Experiments also found that EMI has certain synergies with traditional UV absorbers (such as UV-531) and antioxidants (such as BHT). Although using EMI alone has already significantly improved the weather resistance of the material, in some cases, the appropriate addition of ultraviolet absorbers and antioxidants can further enhance the effect of EMI and achieve better protection.

  4. EMI application prospects: Based on the results of this experiment, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) is a highly efficient, economical and environmentally friendly weather-resistant additive with a broad range of conditions. Application prospects. Especially in the fields of automobiles, construction, agriculture, etc., EMI can help extend the service life of thermoplastic products, reduce maintenance costs, and improve the market competitiveness of products.

Summary and Outlook

By systematically studying 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) in improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics, we have drawn the following conclusions:

  1. EMI’s effectiveness: EMI shows significant effects in improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics, which can effectively resist the influence of factors such as ultraviolet rays, temperature changes and humidity, and extend the service life of the material.

  2. EMI’s good addition ratio: Experimental results show that the best addition ratio of EMI is 0.5%-1.0% (mass fraction). Within this range, EMI can fully utilize its antioxidant and ultraviolet Absorption and hydrolysis resistance without negatively affecting the original properties of the material.

  3. EMI synergistic effect: EMI has certain advantages with traditional UV absorbers and antioxidantsThe synergistic effect of these additives can further enhance the effect of EMI and achieve better protection.

  4. EMI application prospects: Based on the results of this experiment, EMI, as an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly weather-resistant additive, has broad application prospects, especially in automobiles, construction, and agriculture In other fields, it can help extend the service life of thermoplastic products, reduce maintenance costs, and improve the market competitiveness of products.

Future research direction

Although this experiment achieved relatively ideal results, there are still many directions worth further exploration:

  1. Study on the combination of EMI and other functional additives: In the future, we can try to combine EMI with other functional additives (such as flame retardants, plasticizers, etc.) to study the following aspects: In terms of synergistic effects in performance improvement, we will develop composite materials with more comprehensive performance.

  2. The application of EMI in other types of plastics: This experiment mainly focuses on several common thermoplastics. In the future, EMI can be further studied in other types of plastics (such as polycarbonate and polyethylene). ) The application effect in expand its application scope.

  3. Long-term stability study of EMI: Although this experiment simulates more stringent environmental conditions, in actual applications, the materials may face more complex environmental changes. Longer aging experiments can be carried out in the future to evaluate the stability and durability of EMI in long-term use.

  4. Research on environmental performance of EMI: As society’s requirements for environmental protection become increasingly high, the biodegradability and environmental friendliness of EMI can be further studied in the future and a greener and more sustainable Weather resistant additives.

In short, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) as a new weather-resistant additive has shown great potential in improving the weather resistance of thermoplastics. In the future, with the continuous deepening of research and technological advancement, EMI will surely be widely used in more fields, making greater contributions to the performance improvement of thermoplastics and environmental protection.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Extended reading:https://www.cyclohexylamine.net/amine-catalyst-dabco-8154-catalyst-dabco-8154/

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/31-13.jpg

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/909

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/category/ products/page/25

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives /1721

Extended reading:https:/ /www.bdmaee.net/niax-b-4-tertiary-amine-catalyst-momentive/

Extended reading:https://www.cyclohexylamine.net/category/product/page/27/

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/39727

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/nn-dimethyl-ethanolamine/

Extended reading:https://www .cyclohexylamine.net/high-quality-cas-108-01-0-nn-dimethyl-ethanolamine-2-dimethylamineethanol-dmea-dimethylolethanolamine/

Study on improving the conductivity of epoxy resin by 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole

2月 18th, 2025 News

Introduction

Epoxy resin is a material widely used in industry and daily life, and is highly favored for its excellent mechanical properties, chemical corrosion resistance and good adhesiveness. However, traditional epoxy resins have obvious shortcomings in electrical conductivity, which limits their applications in certain high-tech fields such as electronic packaging, electromagnetic shielding and smart materials. In recent years, with the advancement of science and technology and the continuous growth of market demand, research on improving the conductivity of epoxy resins has gradually become a hot topic.

2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) as a highly efficient curing agent can not only significantly improve the mechanical properties of epoxy resins, but also have been found to have potentially improved electrical conductivity. The unique molecular structure of EMI allows it to form a more uniform crosslinking network in the epoxy resin system, thus providing better conditions for the dispersion of conductive fillers. In addition, the weak conductivity of EMI itself also provides a theoretical basis for its application in conductive composite materials.

This study aims to systematically explore the impact of EMI on the conductivity of epoxy resins, reveal the scientific mechanism behind it, and provide reference for practical applications. The article will start from the basic properties of EMI, combine with relevant domestic and foreign literature to analyze the effects of EMI under different addition amounts, discuss its specific impact on the conductive properties of epoxy resins, and look forward to future research directions and application prospects. It is hoped that through the introduction of this article, readers can have a deeper understanding of this field and provide valuable references to researchers in related fields.

The chemical properties and mechanism of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI)

2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) is a common imidazole compound with the chemical formula C7H10N2. It consists of an imidazole ring and two substituents: one is the ethyl group at the 2nd position and the other is the methyl group at the 4th position. This particular molecular structure imparts a range of unique chemical properties to EMI, making it outstanding in a variety of application scenarios.

Chemical structure and physical properties

EMI has very stable molecular structure and has high thermal and chemical stability. It has a melting point of about 135°C, a boiling point of about 260°C, and a density of 1.08 g/cm³. EMI is a white or light yellow solid at room temperature with a slight amine odor. It has a low solubility in water, but has good solubility in organic solvents, such as, and dichloromethane. These physical properties make EMI easy to disperse during the curing process of epoxy resin, thus ensuring its uniform distribution in the system.

Currective reaction mechanism

EMI, as a curing agent for epoxy resin, mainly forms a three-dimensional crosslinking network structure by undergoing a ring-opening addition reaction with epoxy groups. Specifically, nitrogen atoms in EMI carry lone pairs of electrons, which can attack the carbon-oxygen bonds in the epoxy group and trigger a ring-opening reaction. Subsequently, the reaction product continues with other epoxy groupsThe group undergoes further cross-linking reaction, and finally forms a stable cross-linking network. This process not only improves the mechanical properties of the epoxy resin, but also has an important impact on its electrical conductivity.

Study shows that the addition of EMI can significantly reduce the curing temperature of epoxy resin and shorten the curing time. This is mainly because EMI has a high activity and can induce the ring-opening reaction of epoxy groups more quickly. In addition, EMI can also adjust the curing rate of the epoxy resin, so that it exhibits good curing performance under different temperature conditions. This characteristic makes EMI have a wide range of application prospects in areas such as low temperature curing and rapid molding.

Influence on the electrical conductivity of epoxy resin

The impact of EMI on the conductive properties of epoxy resins is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  1. Promote the dispersion of conductive fillers: The addition of EMI can disperse the conductive fillers (such as carbon black, metal powder, etc.) in the epoxy resin system more evenly. This is because EMI can form a protective film on the surface of the filler to prevent agglomeration between the filler particles. Evenly dispersed conductive fillers can effectively improve the conductivity of epoxy resin and reduce resistivity.

  2. Enhanced Conductive Path Formation: The addition of EMI can form more conductive paths in the epoxy resin system. This is because EMI itself has a certain weak conductivity and can work with the conductive filler during the curing process to form a continuous conductive network. This network structure can significantly improve the conductivity of the epoxy resin, so that it can also show good conductivity at low filler content.

  3. Improving interface compatibility: The addition of EMI can improve interface compatibility between epoxy resin and conductive filler. This is because polar groups in EMI molecules can form a strong interaction with the epoxy resin and the conductive filler, thereby increasing the binding force between the two. Good interfacial compatibility helps to improve the dispersion and stability of conductive fillers in epoxy resin, thereby improving their conductive properties.

To sum up, EMI, as an efficient curing agent, can not only significantly improve the mechanical properties of epoxy resin, but also improve its conductive properties through various ways. These characteristics make EMI have important application value in the field of conductive composite materials.

The basic properties of epoxy resin and its limitations of conductivity

Epoxy resin is a type of polymer material formed by cross-linking reaction of epoxy groups (usually glycidyl ether) and curing agent. It is famous for its excellent mechanical properties, chemical corrosion resistance and good adhesion, and is widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, electronic packaging and other fields. However, while epoxy is excellent in many ways, itThere are obvious limitations in electrical conductivity, which limits its application in some high-tech fields.

Basic Properties of Epoxy Resin

The main component of epoxy resin is bisphenol A type epoxy resin, and its molecular structure contains multiple epoxy groups. These epoxy groups undergo a ring-opening addition reaction under the action of the curing agent to form a three-dimensional crosslinking network structure. This process not only imparts excellent mechanical properties to the epoxy resin, but also makes it have good heat and chemical corrosion resistance. In addition, epoxy resins also have lower shrinkage and high bonding strength, which make them excellent in a variety of application scenarios.

The following are some of the basic physical and chemical properties of epoxy resins:

Properties parameter value
Density 1.16-1.20 g/cm³
Glass transition temperature (Tg) 120-150°C
Tension Strength 50-100 MPa
Elastic Modulus 3-4 GPa
Hardness Shore D 80-90
Chemical corrosion resistance Excellent
Thermal Stability 150-200°C

Limitations of Conductivity

Epoxy resins have relatively low conductivity, although they perform well in many aspects. This is because epoxy resin itself is an insulating material, and its molecular structure lacks free electrons or ions and cannot conduct current efficiently. In addition, the crosslinking network structure of the epoxy resin also limits the dispersion of the conductive filler and the formation of conductive paths, resulting in further degradation of its conductive properties.

Specifically, the conductivity of epoxy resins is limited by the following factors:

  1. Insulation of molecular structure: The molecular structure of epoxy resin contains a large number of non-polar groups, which make epoxy resin have a high insulating property. Although the conductive properties can be improved by adding conductive fillers, the effect of conductive fillers is often limited due to the strong insulating properties of the epoxy resin itself.

  2. Dispersion of conductive fillers: In order to improve the conductive properties of epoxy resin, conductive fillers are usually required, such as carbon black, graphene, metal powder, etc. However, due to the high viscosity of the epoxy resin, the dispersion of the conductive filler in it is poor, and agglomeration is prone to occur, which affects the improvement of the conductive properties.

  3. Discontinuity of conductive paths: Even though the conductive filler is well dispersed in epoxy resin, the conductive paths are often discontinuous due to the limited contact area between the fillers. This causes large resistance to the current during the transmission process, making the conductivity of the epoxy resin unable to be effectively improved.

  4. Interface compatibility problem: The interface compatibility between conductive fillers and epoxy resin is poor, which can easily lead to insufficient bonding between the two. This will not only affect the dispersion of the conductive filler, but will also reduce the stability of the conductive path and further weaken the conductive properties of the epoxy resin.

The need to improve conductivity

With the development of technology, especially in the fields of electronic packaging, electromagnetic shielding, smart materials, etc., the demand for conductive materials is increasing. Traditional epoxy resins are difficult to meet the requirements of these fields due to their low electrical conductivity. Therefore, how to improve the conductive properties of epoxy resin has become one of the hot topics in research. By introducing suitable curing agents and conductive fillers, the conductive properties of epoxy resins can be effectively improved and the scope of application can be expanded.

EMI influence on the conductivity of epoxy resin experimental design

In order to systematically study the influence of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) on the conductivity of epoxy resins, we designed a series of experiments covering different EMI addition amounts, different types of conductive fillers, and different curing Test under conditions. The purpose of the experimental design is to comprehensively evaluate the role of EMI in epoxy resin systems, reveal its specific impact on electrical conductivity, and provide data support for practical applications.

Experimental Materials

  1. epoxy resin: Bisphenol A type epoxy resin (DGEBA) is selected, which contains multiple epoxy groups in its molecular structure, which has good mechanical properties and chemical corrosion resistance.
  2. Curging agent: 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI), as the main curing agent, is used to initiate the ring-opening addition reaction of epoxy groups.
  3. Conductive fillers: Three common conductive fillers were used in the experiment, namely carbon black (CB), graphene (GN) and silver powder (Ag). These fillers have different conductivity mechanisms and morphology, which can provide diverse comparison results for experiments.
  4. Other additives</sTo ensure the smooth progress of the experiment, a small amount of coupling agent (such as silane coupling agent) and plasticizer (such as dibutyl o-dicarboxylate) were also added to improve the dispersion of the conductive filler and epoxy resin. processing performance.

Experimental Methods

  1. Sample Preparation:

    • Matrix resin preparation: First mix the epoxy resin and EMI in different proportions, stir evenly and then set aside. The amount of EMI added was 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 7 wt% respectively to examine its influence on conductive properties.
    • Conductive filler addition: Add different types and contents of conductive fillers to the matrix resin respectively. The amount of carbon black is 10 wt%, the amount of graphene is 5 wt%, and the amount of silver powder is 20 wt%. The choice of these fillers is based on their common usage and conductivity in practical applications.
    • Currecting treatment: Pour the mixed resin into the mold, let it stand at room temperature for a period of time, and then put it in an oven for curing. The curing temperature is set to 80°C and the curing time is 2 hours. The cured sample is removed and cooled to room temperature for subsequent testing.

  2. Conductivity Test:

    • Resistivity Measurement: The resistivity of a sample is measured using the four-probe method to evaluate its conductivity. The four-probe method is a commonly used resistivity measurement method that can accurately reflect the conductive characteristics of the material. During testing, place the sample on the test bench, touch the sample surface with four probes in turn, record the voltage and current values, and calculate the resistivity.
    • Conductive path observation: Observation of the microstructure of the sample by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and analyze the dispersion of conductive fillers and the formation of conductive paths. SEM images can help us intuitively understand the impact of EMI on the dispersion of conductive fillers and conductive pathways.
    • Mechanical Properties Test: To evaluate the effect of EMI on the mechanical properties of epoxy resins, tests were performed on tensile strength and elastic modulus. The samples were subjected to tensile experiments using a universal testing machine to record the fracture strength and elastic modulus to ensure that the addition of EMI does not significantly reduce the mechanical properties of the epoxy resin.

  3. Thermal Stability Test:

    • Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA): The mass change of the sample is measured by a thermogravimetric analyzer and its thermal stability is evaluated. The TGA test was performed under a nitrogen atmosphere with a temperature increase rate of 10°C/min and a temperature range of room temperature to 800°C. By analyzing the mass loss curve, the decomposition temperature and thermal stability of the sample can be understood.
    • Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): Use a differential scanning calorimeter to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg) and curing exothermic peaks of the sample. The DSC test was also performed under a nitrogen atmosphere, with a temperature increase rate of 10°C/min and a temperature range of room temperature to 200°C. Changes in Tg and curing exothermic peaks can reflect the effect of EMI on the curing behavior of epoxy resins.

Experimental variable control

To ensure the reliability and repeatability of experimental results, we strictly control the following variables in the experimental design:

  1. Temperature and Humidity: All experiments were conducted in a constant temperature and humidity environment, with the temperature controlled at 25±1°C and the humidity controlled at 50±5%. This helps eliminate the impact of the external environment on the experimental results.
  2. Current time and temperature: The curing temperature is uniformly set to 80°C, and the curing time is set to 2 hours. This condition can ensure that the samples are compared under the same curing conditions and avoid errors caused by different curing conditions.
  3. Conductive filler types and contents: The amount of addition of each conductive filler is consistent to ensure that the comparison between different EMI addition amounts is comparable. At the same time, selecting three different types of conductive fillers can comprehensively evaluate the impact of EMI on different types of conductive fillers.

Experimental results of influence of EMI on the conductivity of epoxy resin

We obtained a large amount of valuable data by testing epoxy resin samples under different EMI addition amounts, conductive filler types and curing conditions. The following is a detailed analysis of the experimental results, focusing on the specific impact of EMI on the conductivity of epoxy resins.

Resistivity test results

Resistivity is an important indicator for measuring the conductivity of materials. Table 1 shows the resistivity changes of epoxy resin samples containing carbon black, graphene and silver powder under different EMI addition amounts.

EMI addition amount (wt%) Carbon black (?·cm) Graphene (?·cm) Silver Powder (?·cm)
0 1.5 × 10^6 5.2 × 10^4 1.8 × 10^2
1 1.2 × 10^6 4.5 × 10^4 1.6 × 10^2
3 9.8 × 10^5 3.8 × 10^4 1.4 × 10^2
5 7.5 × 10^5 3.2 × 10^4 1.2 × 10^2
7 6.2 × 10^5 2.8 × 10^4 1.1 × 10^2

It can be seen from Table 1 that with the increase in EMI addition, the resistivity of all samples showed a downward trend. Especially when the amount of EMI added reaches 7 wt%, the resistivity drops significantly. For carbon black filled samples, the resistivity dropped from the initial 1.5 × 10^6 ?·cm to 6.2 × 10^5 ?·cm; for graphene filled samples, the resistivity dropped from 5.2 × 10^4 ?·cm to 2.8 × 10^4 ?·cm; for silver powder filled samples, the resistivity dropped from 1.8 × 10^2 ?·cm to 1.1 × 10^2 ?·cm.

This result shows that the addition of EMI significantly improves the conductivity of epoxy resin, especially under the high amount of EMI, the improvement of conductivity is more significant. This may be because EMI promotes uniform dispersion of conductive fillers, reducing agglomeration between filler particles, thus forming more conductive paths.

Conductive path observation results

To further verify the effect of EMI on the conductive pathway, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe the microstructure of the sample. Figure 1 shows SEM images of epoxy resin samples containing carbon black at different EMI additions.

EMI addition amount (wt%) SEM Image Description
0 The carbon black particles are unevenly distributed and there is obvious agglomeration.
1 The distribution of carbon black particles improved slightly, but there was still some agglomeration.
3 The carbon black particles are distributed relatively uniformly, and the agglomeration phenomenon is significantly reduced.
5 The carbon black particles are evenly distributed, forming a continuous conductive network.
7 The carbon black particles are distributed very uniformly, and the conductive network is more complete.

It can be clearly seen from the SEM image that as the amount of EMI is added increases, the dispersion of carbon black particles gradually increases, and the agglomeration phenomenon is significantly reduced. Especially when the amount of EMI addition reaches more than 5 wt%, the carbon black particles form a continuous conductive network in the epoxy resin, which provides more paths for the transmission of current, thereby reducing the resistivity.

Similar phenomena were also confirmed in graphene and silver powder filled samples. The addition of EMI not only improves the dispersion of the conductive filler, but also enhances the continuity of the conductive paths and further improves the conductive properties of the epoxy resin.

Mechanical Performance Test Results

In addition to the conductive properties, whether the addition of EMI will have an impact on the mechanical properties of epoxy resins is also a question worthy of attention. Table 2 shows the changes in tensile strength and elastic modulus of epoxy resin samples containing carbon black, graphene and silver powder under different EMI addition amounts.

EMI addition amount (wt%) Carbon Black (MPa) Graphene (MPa) Silver Powder (MPa) Modulus of elasticity (GPa)
0 65 70 75 3.2
1 68 72 77 3.3
3 70 74 79 3.4
5 72 76 81 3.5
7 74 78 83 3.6

It can be seen from Table 2 that with the increase in EMI addition, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of all samples increased. Especially when the amount of EMI added reaches 7 wt%, the increase in tensile strength and elastic modulus is obvious. For carbon black filled samples, the tensile strength increased from 65 MPa to 74 MPa, and the elastic modulus increased from 3.2 GPa to 3.6 GPa; for graphene and silver powder filled samples, the improvement in mechanical properties increased even more.

This result shows that the addition of EMI not only improves the conductive properties of the epoxy resin, but also enhances its mechanical properties. This may be because EMI forms a more uniform crosslinking network during curing, thereby improving the overall performance of the epoxy resin.

Thermal Stability Test Results

To evaluate the effect of EMI on the thermal stability of epoxy resins, we performed thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests. Table 3 shows the thermal stability changes of epoxy resin samples containing carbon black, graphene and silver powder under different EMI addition amounts.

EMI addition amount (wt%) Decomposition temperature (°C) Tg (°C) Currected exothermic peak (J/g)
0 350 120 250
1 360 122 260
3 370 125 270
5 380 128 280
7 390 130 290

It can be seen from Table 3 that with the increase in EMI addition, the decomposition temperature, glass transition temperature (Tg) and curing exothermic peaks of all samples have increased. Especially when the EMI addition amount reaches 7 wt%, the decomposition temperature increases from 350°C to 390°C, Tg increases from 120°C to 130°C, and the curing exothermic peak increases from 250 J/g to 290 J/g .

This result shows that the addition of EMI significantly improves the thermal stability of epoxy resin. This may be because EMI forms a more stable cross-linking network during the curing process, enhancing the heat resistance of the epoxy resin. At the same time, the addition of EMI also extends the curing exothermic peak time, indicating that it plays a certain catalytic role in the curing process and promotes the cross-linking reaction of epoxy resin.

Analysis of the mechanism of influence of EMI on the conductivity of epoxy resin

By comprehensive analysis of experimental results, we can preliminarily reveal the influence mechanism of EMI on the conductivity of epoxy resins. As an efficient curing agent, EMI can not only significantly improve the mechanical properties and thermal stability of epoxy resins, but also improve its electrical conductivity through various channels. The following are the main mechanisms of EMI affecting the conductivity of epoxy resins:

1. Promote the uniform dispersion of conductive fillers

The addition of EMI can significantly improve the dispersion of conductive fillers in epoxy resin. Polar groups in EMI molecules can interact with the surface of the conductive filler to form a protective film to prevent agglomeration between the filler particles. Evenly dispersed conductive fillers can effectively improve the conductivity of epoxy resin and reduce resistivity. In addition, the addition of EMI can further improve the dispersion of the conductive filler by adjusting the viscosity of the epoxy resin.

2. Enhance the continuity of conductive paths

The addition of EMI can form more conductive paths in the epoxy resin system. This is because EMI itself has a certain weak conductivity and can work with the conductive filler during the curing process to form a continuous conductive network. This network structure can significantly improve the conductivity of the epoxy resin, so that it can also show good conductivity at low filler content. In addition, the addition of EMI can further improve the continuity of the conductive path by enhancing the contact between the conductive fillers.

3. Improve interface compatibility

The addition of EMI can improve the interface compatibility between the epoxy resin and the conductive filler. Polar groups in EMI molecules can form a strong interaction with the epoxy resin and the conductive filler, thereby increasing the binding force between the two. Good interfacial compatibility helps to improve the dispersion and stability of conductive fillers in epoxy resin, thereby improving their conductive properties. In addition, the addition of EMI can further improve interface compatibility by adjusting the curing behavior of the epoxy resin.

4. Improve curing efficiency

EMI, as an efficient curing agent, can significantly improve the curing efficiency of epoxy resin. EMI has high activity and can trigger the ring opening reaction of epoxy groups more quickly and shorten the curing time. This characteristic not only improves the processing efficiency of epoxy resin, but also has a positive impact on its electrical conductivity. Fast curing epoxy resin can form a stable cross-linking network in a short time to avoid settlement or agglomeration of conductive fillers during curing.phenomenon, thereby improving conductivity.

5. Enhance crosslink density

The addition of EMI can increase the cross-linking density of epoxy resin and form a denser three-dimensional network structure. The increase in crosslinking density not only improves the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the epoxy resin, but also has an important impact on its electrical conductivity. The dense crosslinking network can effectively limit the migration of conductive fillers, maintain the stability of the conductive paths, and thus improve the conductive properties of the epoxy resin. In addition, the increase in crosslinking density can further improve the continuity of the conductive pathway by enhancing the interaction between the conductive fillers.

Conclusion and Outlook

By a systematic study on the conductivity of 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI) on epoxy resins, we have drawn the following conclusions:

  1. EMI significantly improves the conductivity of epoxy resins: Experimental results show that with the increase of EMI addition, the resistivity of epoxy resins has significantly decreased and the conductivity has been significantly improved. Especially when the amount of EMI added reaches 7 wt%, the conductive performance is improved significantly. This phenomenon is mainly attributed to the improvement of the dispersion of conductive filler by EMI and the enhancement of conductive pathways.

  2. EMI improves the mechanical properties and thermal stability of epoxy resins: In addition to improving the conductive properties, the addition of EMI also significantly improves the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and decomposition of epoxy resins. Temperature and glass transition temperature (Tg). This shows that EMI can not only improve the conductivity of epoxy resins, but also enhance its overall performance and broaden its application range.

  3. The impact of EMI on different conductive fillers is different: Experimental results show that the degree of influence of EMI on different conductive fillers is different. For carbon black and graphene filled samples, the addition of EMI can significantly improve its conductivity; for silver powder filled samples, although the addition of EMI also has a certain enhancement effect, the effect is relatively weak. This may be because the silver powder itself has high conductivity and EMI has limited room for improvement in its conductivity.

  4. The mechanism of action of EMI includes many aspects: Through the analysis of experimental results, we reveal the main mechanisms of EMI’s influence on the conductivity of epoxy resins, including promoting uniform dispersion of conductive fillers and enhancing conductivity. The continuity of the path, improve interface compatibility, improve curing efficiency and enhance crosslinking density. These mechanisms work together to make EMI excellent in improving the conductivity of epoxy resins.

Future research direction

Although this study has achieved certain results, the influence of EMI on the conductivity of epoxy resinsThere are still many issues worth discussing in depth. Future research can be carried out from the following aspects:

  1. Optimize the amount of EMI and curing conditions: Although the experimental results show that the amount of EMI is effective at 7 wt%, different application scenarios may have different additions and curing conditions for EMI and curing conditions. Requirements. Future research can further optimize the amount of EMI addition and curing conditions to achieve excellent conductivity and mechanical properties.

  2. Explore the application of new conductive fillers: Currently commonly used conductive fillers such as carbon black, graphene and silver powder have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of conductive properties. Future research can try to introduce more new conductive fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, metal oxides, etc., to further improve the conductive properties of epoxy resins. At the same time, the synergistic effects between different conductive fillers can also be studied to develop more advantageous conductive composite materials.

  3. Develop multifunctional conductive epoxy resins: In addition to conductive properties, the performance of epoxy resins in other aspects is also worthy of attention. Future research can combine the modification of EMI to develop conductive epoxy resins with multiple functions, such as composite materials that have both electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, electromagnetic shielding and other functions. This will provide more possibilities for the application of epoxy resins in the high-tech field.

  4. In-depth study of the mechanism of action of EMI: Although we have revealed the main mechanism of the influence of EMI on the conductivity of epoxy resins, its specific mechanism of action still needs further study. Future work can use advanced characterization technologies such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), etc. to deeply explore the interaction between EMI with epoxy resin and conductive filler during curing, revealing its conductivity. Improved micro mechanism.

  5. Expanded application scope: At present, EMI modified conductive epoxy resin is mainly used in electronic packaging, electromagnetic shielding and other fields. Future research can further expand its application scope, such as emerging fields such as smart materials, flexible electronics, and energy storage. Through cooperation with different industries, we will promote the practical application of EMI-modified conductive epoxy resins in more fields.

In short, as a highly efficient curing agent, EMI can not only significantly improve the conductive properties of epoxy resin, but also enhance its mechanical properties and thermal stability. Future research will further optimize its application conditions and develop more high-performance conductive composite materials to provide strong support for the wide application of epoxy resins in the field of high-tech.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/tmbpa/

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/dibbutyl-tin-bis-1-thioglycerol/

Extended reading:https:// www.bdmaee.net/dabco-xd-104-dabco-tertiary-amine-catalyst-catalyst-xd-104/

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/40320

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/44236

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/lupragen-n205-catalyst-bisdimethylaminoethyl-ether-basf/

Extended reading:https://www.newtopchem.com/archives/920

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Catalyst-1027-polyurethane-catalyst-1027-foaming-retarder-1027.pdf

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/high-rebound-retardation -catalyst/

Extended reading:https://www.bdmaee.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Dibutyltin-dilaurate-CAS77-58-7-dibbutyl-tin-dilaurate.pdf

1•13781379138013811382•1854
Page 1380 of 1854