Fast and sustainable recycling of epoxy and composites using mixed solvents

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 199; p. 109895
• Main Authors: Mu, Quanyi, An, Le, Hu, Zhiqiang, Kuang, Xiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Boiling points; Carbon; Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite; Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; carbon fibers; Carbon-epoxy composites; catalysts; Chemical bonds; Chemical Recycling; Composite materials; Decomposition reactions; degradation; Depolymerization; Diffusion rate; Dimethylformamide; Distillation; Environmental protection; epoxides; Epoxy; Epoxy resins; Ethylene glycol; Fiber composites; Fiber reinforced polymers; Mechanical properties; Mixing ratio; Polymer matrix composites; polymers; Recycling; Reduced Pressure Distillation; Solvents; Transesterification; Chemical Recycling; Transesterification; Reduced Pressure Distillation; Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite; Epoxy

•The anhydride-cured epoxy resin can be rapidly decomposed by mixed solvent below150°C at normal pressure.•The depolymerized epoxy oligomer and residual solvents were facilely separated by reduced pressure distillation.•Both the epoxy oligomer and solvents were reused for the next round of recycling...