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Closed-loop recycling of tough epoxy supramolecular thermosets constructed with hyperbranched topological structure

Author

Listed:
  • Junheng Zhang

    (South-Central Minzu University
    Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Chemistry and Fine Chemical Engineering Jieyang Center)

  • Can Jiang

    (South-Central Minzu University)

  • Guoyan Deng

    (South-Central Minzu University)

  • Mi Luo

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Bangjiao Ye

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Hongjun Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Menghe Miao

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Tingcheng Li

    (South-Central Minzu University)

  • Daohong Zhang

    (South-Central Minzu University)

Abstract

The regulation of topological structure of covalent adaptable networks (CANs) remains a challenge for epoxy CANs. Here, we report a strategy to develop strong and tough epoxy supramolecular thermosets with rapid reprocessability and room-temperature closed-loop recyclability. These thermosets were constructed from vanillin-based hyperbranched epoxy resin (VanEHBP) through the introduction of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and dual dynamic covalent bonds, as well as the formation of intramolecular and intermolecular cavities. The supramolecular structures confer remarkable energy dissipation capability of thermosets, leading to high toughness and strength. Due to the dynamic imine exchange and reversible noncovalent crosslinks, the thermosets can be rapidly and effectively reprocessed at 120 °C within 30 s. Importantly, the thermosets can be efficiently depolymerized at room temperature, and the recovered materials retain the structural integrity and mechanical properties of the original samples. This strategy may be employed to design tough, closed-loop recyclable epoxy thermosets for practical applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Junheng Zhang & Can Jiang & Guoyan Deng & Mi Luo & Bangjiao Ye & Hongjun Zhang & Menghe Miao & Tingcheng Li & Daohong Zhang, 2024. "Closed-loop recycling of tough epoxy supramolecular thermosets constructed with hyperbranched topological structure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49272-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49272-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peyton Shieh & Wenxu Zhang & Keith E. L. Husted & Samantha L. Kristufek & Boya Xiong & David J. Lundberg & Jet Lem & David Veysset & Yuchen Sun & Keith A. Nelson & Desiree L. Plata & Jeremiah A. Johns, 2020. "Publisher Correction: Cleavable comonomers enable degradable, recyclable thermoset plastics," Nature, Nature, vol. 585(7823), pages 4-4, September.
    2. Bo Qin & Siyuan Liu & Zehuan Huang & Lingda Zeng & Jiang-Fei Xu & Xi Zhang, 2022. "Closed-loop chemical recycling of cross-linked polymeric materials based on reversible amidation chemistry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Peyton Shieh & Wenxu Zhang & Keith E. L. Husted & Samantha L. Kristufek & Boya Xiong & David J. Lundberg & Jet Lem & David Veysset & Yuchen Sun & Keith A. Nelson & Desiree L. Plata & Jeremiah A. Johns, 2020. "Cleavable comonomers enable degradable, recyclable thermoset plastics," Nature, Nature, vol. 583(7817), pages 542-547, July.
    4. Alexander Ahrens & Andreas Bonde & Hongwei Sun & Nina Kølln Wittig & Hans Christian D. Hammershøj & Gabriel Martins Ferreira Batista & Andreas Sommerfeldt & Simon Frølich & Henrik Birkedal & Troels Sk, 2023. "Catalytic disconnection of C–O bonds in epoxy resins and composites," Nature, Nature, vol. 617(7962), pages 730-737, May.
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