Liquid crystal epoxy resins with high intrinsic thermal conductivities and their composites: A mini-review

Owing to the excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability, outstanding electrical insulation and chemical resistance, as well as easy processing and low cost, epoxy resins are widely used in electronics and electrical fields. However, the intrinsic thermal conductivity coefficients (λ) of the traditional epoxy resins are low, which is far from being able to meet the high thermal conduction/dissipation requirements of high-power electrical equipment or electronic components. By designing and changing the structures of molecules and chain links to obtain special physical structures (such as orientation structure, liquid crystal structure and crystalline structure, etc.), the high intrinsic λ of epoxy resins can be achieved. This paper reviews the classification, preparation methods, research progresses and thermal conduction mechanisms of intrinsically thermally conductive liquid crystal epoxy resins. The research progresses and academic achievements of existing intrinsically thermally conductive liquid crystal epoxy resins and their composites are focused on, and the influencing factors on the intrinsic thermal conductivities of liquid crystal epoxy resins are discussed. Finally, the development trends and prospects of intrinsically thermally conductive liquid crystal epoxy resins and their composites are pointed out. [Display omitted] •Research progresses of intrinsically thermally conductive LCER are reviewed.•The influencing factors on intrinsic thermal conductivities of LCER are discussed.•The development trends of intrinsically thermally conductive LCER are pointed out.