Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Published: September 2023
Devising energy-efficient strategies for the depolymerization of plastics and the recovery of their structural components in high yield and purity is key to a circular plastics economy. Here, we report a case study in which we demonstrate that vinylogous urethane (VU) vitrimers synthesized from bis-polyethylene glycol acetoacetates (aPEG) and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine can be degraded by water at moderate temperature with almost quantitative recovery (≈98 %) of aPEG. The rate of depolymerization can be controlled by the temperature, amount of water, molecular weight of aPEG, and composition of the starting material. These last two parameters also allow one to tailor the mechanical properties of the final materials, and this was used to access soft, tough, and brittle vitrimers, respectively. The straightforward preparation and depolymerization of the aPEG-based VU vitrimers are interesting elements for the design of polymer materials with enhanced closed-loop recycling characteristics.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.202306188 | DOI Listing |
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!
© LitMetric 2025. All rights reserved.