High performance epoxy composites cured with ionic liquids

Two ionic liquids (ILs) with the same dicyanamide anion and various cation types: imidazolium and phosphonium as catalytic agents of epoxy resin have been compared. Neat epoxy materials cured with imidazolium IL exhibited above 45 days latency, high thermal performance, i.e. glass transition temperature (above 190 °C), low tan δ (0.17), and stability (395 °C/5% weight loss), whereas with phosphonium IL – pot life above 70 days, similar tan δ value and high transparency (85%). Carbon nanotubes modified epoxy composites cured with imidazolium dicyanamide IL showed bulk electrical resistivity in a range 107–103 Ω·m for carbon filler content 0.0625–0.25 wt.%. These features designate developed materials for various engineering applications.

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