Co-continuous network polymers using epoxy monolith for the design of tough materials

Abstract

High-performance polymer materials that can exhibit distinguished mechanical properties have been developed based on material design considering energy dissipation by sacrificial bond dissociation. We now propose co-continuous network polymers (CNPs) for the design of tough polymer materials. CNP is a new composite material fabricated by filling the three-dimensionally continuous pores of a hard epoxy monolith with any cross-linked polymer having a low glass transition temperature (Tg). The structure and mechanical properties of the CNPs containing epoxy resins, thiol-ene thermosets, and polyacrylates as the low-Tg components were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile tests as well as scanning electron microscopic observations and non-destructive 3D X-ray imaging in order to clarify a mechanism for exhibiting an excellent strength and toughness. It has been demonstrated that the mechanical properties and fractural behavior of the CNPs significantly depend on the network structure of the filler polymers, and that a simultaneous high strength and toughness are achieved via the sacrificial fracture mechanism of epoxy-based hard materials with co-continuous network structures.

Small Angle X‐Ray Scattering Study for Investigating the 3D Packing Structure of Pt Catalysts on Gd‐Doped CeO2 Supports for Fuel Cells

“…Many analysis methods, mainly for 3D structures obtained by computed tomography, [25][26][27][28][29] have been proposed for evaluating quantitative features of such complex structures. Typically, the observed image is transformed to binary data that assigns grid point values (GPV) to their pixels; for example, an inside object (particle) is set to 0, and an outside object (pore) is set to 1.…”

Exploring the Impact of Molecular Structure on Curing Kinetics: A Comparative Study of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A and F Epoxy Resins

“…To further enhance their functional properties, it is crucial to precisely control their thermal and mechanical properties . To this end, the network structure associated with the material properties has been extensively studied. − …”

Microporous Structure Formation of Poly(methyl methacrylate) via Polymerization-Induced Phase Separation in the Presence of Poly(ethylene glycol)

“…Microstructure formation using phase separation has been investigated in a variety of materials. For example, the curing of the epoxy resin in the presence of poly­(ethylene glycol) (PEG) leads to a co-continuous monolith structure. , The epoxy monolith has been applied for separation technologies, , multi-material bonding, − and novel tough co-continuous network materials …”

“…20,21 The epoxy monolith has been applied for separation technologies, 22,23 bonding, 24−26 and novel tough co-continuous network materials. 27 During bulk polymerization of MMA, a sudden temperature increase known as the Trommsdorff effect may occur. 28−30 Classically, it has long been attributed to the increased viscosity and decreased termination rate.…”

“… 20 , 21 The epoxy monolith has been applied for separation technologies, 22 , 23 multi-material bonding, 24 − 26 and novel tough co-continuous network materials. 27 …”