Design and Synthesis of Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resins Based on Natural Molecules
발표자
Linh Pham (경북대학교)
연구책임자
여현욱 (경북대학교)
초록
내용
Biomass-derived materials have attracted growing attention for their abundant sources and reduced environmental impact. However, a drawback is the lack of fundamental properties, which we aim to improve by utilizing the self-assembling characteristics of liquid crystals. In this study, natural molecules-based liquid crystalline epoxy resin (N-LCERs) are designed and synthesized. Ferulic acid was selected as a renewable precursor and chemically modified through esterification of both phenolic hydroxyl group and the unsaturated carboxylic acid moiety. A rigid biphenylyl glycidyl ether unit was introduced, promoting the formation of an oriented crystalline network in the cured epoxy through π–π stacking interactions. This self-assembling molecular structure aligns during the curing process to form an ordered network, resulting in enhanced mechanical strength, improved thermal conductivity, and unique smart functionalities, such as shape memory behavior.