Silicon-Bridged Epoxy Vitrimers with Antibacterial and UV-Blocking Properties
Bing Chen, Geng Lai, Zhangyou Liu, Wenhui Luo, Shufeng Lin, Huagui Zhang, Mingfeng Chen
Abstract
The development of multifunctional epoxy resins that can be degradable and reprocessed is of great significance for the conservation of non-renewable resources and environmental protection. Herein, curing agents based on nitrogen–silicone Schiff base (BOB) and silica-bridged epoxy resin (ETOD) were designed and successfully synthesized. Then, ETOD was cured using BOB to fabricate a multi-silicon-bridge epoxy vitrimer containing dynamic imine bonds (BOB/ETOD). Notably, because of the presence of a large number of siloxane chain segments, BOB/ETOD exhibited excellent flame retardancy (the peak heat release rate (pHRR) was 57.7% lower than that of conventional epoxy resin (DDM/EP) and a carbon residual rate (RC 700 ) of 27.7%, which is 1.6 times higher than that of DDM/EP). Furthermore, the networks of BOB/ETOD could topologically rearrange due to the reversible exchange reaction of imine bonds, making them degradable and reprocessable. Surprisingly, BOB/ETOD also had excellent antimicrobial (the antimicrobial rate was up to 93%) and UV-blocking properties. This work provides a simple and effective solution for the development of multifunctional epoxy-based vitrimers, which is conducive to further expanding the application field of epoxy resins.