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Development of Porous Epoxy Micro-Beads Using Ammonium Bicarbonate through a Single Epoxy Droplet in Corn Oil
Anusha Leemsuthep1,2, Zunaida Zakaria1,2, Varaporn Tanrattanakul3
1Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Arau 02600, Malaysia.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Researchers created porous epoxy micro-beads using a single droplet method. Higher ammonium bicarbonate content resulted in smaller, lighter, and more thermally stable micro-beads with open pores.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Epoxy resins are versatile polymers used in various applications.
- Developing methods for creating porous micro-structures is crucial for advanced material design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of porous epoxy micro-beads using a single droplet method.
- To determine the effects of ammonium bicarbonate content and epoxy to polyamide ratio on micro-bead characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A mixture of epoxy, polyamide, and ammonium bicarbonate was dropped into heated corn oil (100 °C).
- Simultaneous decomposition of ammonium bicarbonate and curing of epoxy/polyamide formed porous micro-beads.
- Varied ammonium bicarbonate content and epoxy to polyamide ratios were tested.
Main Results:
- Increased ammonium bicarbonate content enhanced decomposition rate and gas generation.
- Higher ammonium bicarbonate led to smaller particle size, lower specific gravity (approx. 0.93), and improved thermal stability.
- An epoxy to polyamide ratio of 10:6 yielded micro-beads (201-400 μm) at 10 phr ammonium bicarbonate.
Conclusions:
- Porous epoxy micro-beads were successfully synthesized via a single epoxy droplet in heated corn oil.
- Micro-bead morphology and particle size are controllable by adjusting ammonium bicarbonate content and epoxy to polyamide ratio.
