Imparting Electrical Conductivity in Epoxy Resins (Chemistry and Approaches)

Abstract

Electrically conductive epoxy thermosets are getting widespread consideration due to the fast-growing advanced engineering material industry. There are known platforms for encapsulating semiconductors, equipment constituents, electric circuit board substances, aerospace, etc. Currently, various efforts are being made to manufacture conductive epoxy-based nanocomposites, and a systematic and comprehensive understanding is required to move the achievements a step ahead. The conduction mechanism appears as a result of conductive network formation created in the presence of a specific type of additives, namely electrically conductive fillers. Conductive fillers are powders, fibers, and other materials added to epoxy resin to make it easier for electrons to pass through. This chapter describes how the electrical conductance of epoxy thermosets is improved using different types of conductive fillers. The emphasis is on conventional electrically conductive agents (e.g., metals, carbonaceous fillers, and intrinsically conductive polymers) as well as green ionic mixtures, including multi-functioning ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. The latter category is important since ionic mixtures can play simultaneously as epoxy hardening compounds and curing catalysts, in addition to their role as electrically conductive agents. Numerous examples of recent and current research activities are given to introduce a complete background of achievement. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.