Improving the High-Frequency Response of PEI-Based Earphone with Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin

• Main Authors: Hao-Zhi Li, Jun-Jie Wu, Wei-Jen Lee, Chien-Sheng Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-01-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: sodium copper chlorophyllin; porphyrin; isothermal titration calorimetry; acoustics; sound pressure level
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/1/219

The polyetherimide diaphragm, sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC), and copper ion coating composite used on earphones were observed to improve the high-frequency (10k−14k Hz) performance. This reinforcement phenomenon was expected to make the sound experience brighter and more diverse. By SEM observation, the mixed coating of SCC/Cu²⁺ on the polyethylenimine (PEI) diaphragm exhibited a planar blocky structure and was tightly bonded to the surface of the PEI polymer without the aid of colloids. The endothermic process of SCC and metal ion complexation was analyzed by isothermal titration calorimetry. The association ratios of SCC/Cu²⁺ and SCC/Ni²⁺ were 4/1 and 6/1, respectively, and the SCC/Cu²⁺ association yielded a stronger binding constant and more free energy. It was expected that the SCC/Cu²⁺(4/1) mixed liquid would be immobilized on the PEI polymer by multivalent interaction, including hydrogen-bonding networks between carboxyl groups of SCC and amine groups of PEI, and cross-linking of bridging copper ions. We used dimethylethylenediamine (DME) monomer instead of PEI polymer to analyze this multivalent interaction and observed a two-stage exothermic association of SCC/Cu²⁺(4/1) and DME with a total Gibbs free energy of 15.15 kcal/mol. We observed that the binding energy could be used to explain that the SCC/Cu²⁺ mixed formulation could be fixed on the surface of the PEI polymer and could enhance the strength of the PEI film. Compared with graphene films, which can continuously improve the performance of high and ultrasonic frequencies, this study was devoted to and was initiated for the purpose of applying porphyrin compounds to improve music performance.