Solvent-Free Ionic Epoxy Resin for Low-VOC Polymer Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional epoxy systems emit significant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing, leading to environmental and health concerns, and increased operational costs, despite providing desirable properties for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A solvent-free ionic epoxy system comprising a hardener compound and an epoxy compound, both part of a solvent-less ionic liquid, which eliminates VOC emissions by forming high-strength, versatile polymers with self-healing properties and customizable functionalities through stable electrical charges in the polymeric chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional epoxy systems are used to achieve desirable properties (hardness, flexibility, adhesion, strength), then VOC emissions increase significantly causing environmental and health concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the epoxy system by replacing traditional organic solvents with ionic liquids. This substitution maintains the desired epoxy properties while eliminating VOC emissions, as ionic liquids have negligible vapor pressure and do not contribute to volatile organic compound emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite epoxy system that combines ionic liquid components with traditional epoxy resins and hardeners. This composite approach allows the system to retain the beneficial mechanical and chemical properties of conventional epoxies while incorporating the environmentally friendly characteristics of ionic liquids.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional epoxy systems with solvents are used to facilitate processing, then operational costs increase due to VOC capture requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the epoxy system by using ionic liquids as solvents. This change maintains processability while eliminating the need for expensive VOC capture infrastructure and operations, thereby reducing operational costs associated with environmental compliance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solvent-free ionic epoxy system reduces VOC emissions, decreases processing costs, mitigates health hazards, and retains the broad applicability of traditional epoxy systems while enabling self-healing and customizable properties in the resulting polymers.
Implementation Method 1
the presence of stable electrical charges along to the polymeric chains that drive the healing process through electrostatic attraction
Data Source
AI summary
Solvent free epoxy system that includes: a hardener compound H comprising: a molecular structure (Y1—R1—Y2), wherein R1 is an ionic moiety Y1 is a nucleophilic group and Y2 nucleophilic group; and an ionic moiety A acting as a counter ion to R1; and an epoxy compound E comprising: a molecular structure (Z1—R2—Z2), wherein R2 is an ionic moiety, Z1 comprises an epoxide group, and Z2 comprises an epoxide group; and an ionic moiety B acting as a counter ion to R2. In embodiments, the epoxy compound E and/or the hardener H is comprised in a solvent-less ionic liquid. The systems can further include accelerators, crosslinkers, plasticizers, inhibitors, ionic hydrophobic and/or super-hydrophobic compounds, ionic hydrophilic compounds, ionic transitional hydrophobic/hydrophilic compounds, biological active compounds, and/or plasticizer compounds. Polymers made from the disclosed epoxy systems and their methods of used.