A bio-based vanillin ligand to remove silver ions from a waste stream and utilizing it to improve the fire safety of an epoxy thermoset and its thermal conductivity

Polymer composites exhibiting exceptional characteristics, including high thermal conductivity, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and flame resistance, offer significant potential for contemporary electronic applications. Their appeal is further heightened by features such as straightforward manufacturing processes, costeffectiveness, and consistent physical and chemical properties. In this study, a bio-derived ligand was synthesized from vanillin through a Schiff base reaction. Subsequently, this ligand was employed in the synthesis of a silver complex (Ag-complex) through a Schiff base ligand-mediated process designed to extract silver ions from a wastewater stream. Moreover, the Ag-complex served as an additive to enhance the flame resistance and amplify the thermal conductivity of an epoxy resin (EP). The results from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the Ag-complex promoted the formation of char in the EP composites. Specifically, the EP composite containing 20.0 wt% of the Ag-complex exhibited a significantly increased limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 27.0%, and demonstrated improved thermal conductivity. Additionally, this composite showed a substantial reduction (47.84%) in heat release rate (HRR), a noteworthy decrease of 45.16% in total heat release (THR), and a marked decline in smoke production rate (SPR) by 26.15%, along with reductions in CO production rate (52.34%) and CO2 production rate (29.53%). Furthermore, the EP composite containing 20.0 wt% of the Ag-complex displayed superior tensile strength compared to the unmodified EP. This research introduces an innovative approach for developing fire-resistant EP with enhanced thermal conductivity, achieved by repurposing waste materials derived from water decontamination adsorbents.