Modification of the Dielectric and Thermal Properties of Organic Frameworks Based on Nonterminal Epoxy Liquid Crystal with Silicon Dioxide and Titanium Dioxide

A nonterminal liquid crystal epoxy monomer is used to create an epoxy-amine network with a typical diamine 4,4 ' diaminodiphenylmethane. The plain matrix is compared to matrices modified with inorganic fillers: TiO2 or SiO2. Conditions of the curing reaction and glass transition temperatures in the cured products are determined through differential scanning calorimetry and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The curing process is also followed through optical and electrical observations. The dielectric response of all investigated networks reveals a segmental alpha-process related to structural reorientation (connected to the glass transition). In all products, a similar process associated with molecular motions of polar groups also appears. The matrix modified with TiO2 exhibits two secondary relaxation processes (beta and gamma). Similar processes were observed in the pure monomer. An advantage of the network with the TiO2 filler is a shorter time or lower temperature required for optimal curing conditions. The physical properties of cured matrices depend on the presence of a nematic phase in the monomer and nonterminal functional groups in the aliphatic chains. In effect, such cured matrices can have more flexibility and internal order than classical resins. Additional modifiers used in this work shift the glass transition above room temperature and influence the fragility index in both cases.