New applications of dodecahedral bimetallic imidazolate frameworks in the robust and superior wear-resistant epoxy composites

Abstract

In this study, we put forward a facile strategy for preparing high-performance composites utilizing epoxy resin and dodecahedral bimetallic imidazolate frameworks as the matrix resin and wear-resisting agents, respectively, with varied weight ratios via a combination of sonochemical and solution-mixing methods. The results indicate that the synthesized bimetallic imidazolate frameworks possess a dodecahedral morphology, which is composed of nickel/cobalt transition metals and imidazolium salt organic ligands, dispersing homogeneously within the resin matrix. After carefully investigating the mechanical, dry-sliding and thermal properties, we have clearly demonstrated the significance of the added bimetallic imidazolate frameworks in endowing epoxy composites with excellent wear resistance. As the filler content increases, the epoxy composites display reliable mechanical properties and thermal stabilities. Meanwhile, compared with pure resin, the wear rate is significantly reduced by 92.3%, reaching the lowest value of 0.74 × 10⁻⁵ mm³·Nm^–1. Moreover, various characterizations have been carried out to reveal the wearing mechanism. This study aims to enhance the potential of bimetallic imidazolate frameworks in the applications of creating superior wear-resistant polymeric composites with satisfactory mechanical and thermal properties.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

bimetallic imidazolate frameworks / tribological property / mechanical response / thermal stability / wear mechanism

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from the Graduate Innovation Fund of Anhui University of Science and Technology (Grant No. 2024cx2083) and the Innovation Training Program for College Students in Anhui University of Science and Technology (Grant No. S202410361033). Additionally, the authors express their gratitude to the Analytical and Testing Center of Anhui University of Science and Technology for providing XPS examination services.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-025-2537-2 and is accessible for authorized users.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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