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Fully recyclable and tough thermoplastic elastomers from simple bio-sourced δ-valerolactones

Author

Listed:
  • Kai Ma

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Hai-Yan An

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Jiyun Nam

    (Colorado State University)

  • Liam T. Reilly

    (Colorado State University)

  • Yi-Lin Zhang

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Eugene Y.-X. Chen

    (Colorado State University)

  • Tie-Qi Xu

    (Dalian University of Technology)

Abstract

While a large number of chemically recyclable thermoplastics have been developed in recent years, technologically important thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) that are not only bio-based and fully recyclable but also exhibit mechanical properties that can rival or even exceed those petroleum-based, non-recyclable polyolefin TPEs are critically lacking. The key challenge in developing chemically circular, bio-based, high-performance TPEs rests on the complexity of TPE’s block copolymer (BCP) structure involving block segments of different suitable monomers required to induce self-assembled morphologies responsible for performance as well as the control and monomer compatibility in their synthesis and the selectivity in their depolymerization. Here we demonstrate the utilization of bio-sourced δ-valerolactone (δVL) and its simple α-alkyl-substituted derivatives to produce all δVL-based polyester tri-BCP TPEs, which exhibit not only complete (closed-loop) chemical recyclability but also excellent toughness that is 2.5–3.8 times higher than commercial polyolefin-based TPEs. The visualized cylindrical morphology formed via crystallization-driven self-assembly in the new all δVL tri-BCP is postulated to contribute to the excellent TPE property.

Suggested Citation

  • Kai Ma & Hai-Yan An & Jiyun Nam & Liam T. Reilly & Yi-Lin Zhang & Eugene Y.-X. Chen & Tie-Qi Xu, 2024. "Fully recyclable and tough thermoplastic elastomers from simple bio-sourced δ-valerolactones," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52229-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52229-1
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    1. Coralie Jehanno & Jill W. Alty & Martijn Roosen & Steven Meester & Andrew P. Dove & Eugene Y.-X. Chen & Frank A. Leibfarth & Haritz Sardon, 2022. "Critical advances and future opportunities in upcycling commodity polymers," Nature, Nature, vol. 603(7903), pages 803-814, March.
    2. Yi-Min Tu & Fu-Long Gong & Yan-Chen Wu & Zhongzheng Cai & Jian-Bo Zhu, 2023. "Insights into substitution strategy towards thermodynamic and property regulation of chemically recyclable polymers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
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