Chemical and Solvent-Based Recycling of DGEBA-Based Epoxy Thermoset and Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite Utilizing Imine-Containing Secondary Amine Hardener.

Epoxy systems are essential in numerous industrial applications due to their exceptional mechanical properties, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. Yet, recycling epoxy networks and reinforcing materials in epoxy composites remains challenging, raising environmental concerns. The critical challenge is the recovery of well-defined molecules upon depolymerization.

Thickness Gradient in Polymer Coating by Reactive Layer-by-Layer Assembly on Solid Substrate.

The study describes a simple yet robust methodology for forming gradients in polymer coatings with nanometer-thickness precision. The thickness gradients of 0-20 nm in the coating are obtained by a reactive layer-by-layer assembly of polyester and polyethylenimine on gold substrates. Three parameters are important in forming thickness gradients: (i) the incubation time, (ii) the incubation concentration of the polymer solutions, and (iii) the tilt angle of the gold substrate during the dipping process.

Epoxy Thermosets Designed for Chemical Recycling.

Epoxy thermosets constitute a significant portion of high-performance plastics, as they possess excellent thermal and mechanical properties that are applicable in a wide range of industries. Nevertheless, traditional epoxy networks show strict limitations regarding chemical recycling due to their covalently crosslinked structures. Although existing methods provide partial solutions for the recycling of epoxy networks, it is urgent to develop more effective, sustainable, and permanent strategies that will solve the problem at hand.

Metal-Free Click Modification of Triple Bond-Containing Polyester with Azide-Functionalized Vegetable Oil: Plasticization and Tunable Solvent Adsorption.

Pressure from environmental nongovernmental organizations and the public has accelerated research on the development of innovative and renewable polymers and additives. Recently, biobased "green" plasticizers that can be covalently attached to replace toxic and migratory phthalate-based plasticizers have gained a lot of attention from researchers. In this work, we prepared an azide-functionalized soybean oil derivative (AzSBO) and investigated whether it can be used as a plasticizer.