Influences of material and processing conditions on the depolymerization speed of anhydride-cured epoxy during the solvent-assisted recycling

Thermosetting polymers with permanent crosslinking networks have been intensively used in high-performance applications requiring thermal stability, chemical resistance, and structural integrity. However, they are extremely hard to be reprocessed recycled using conventional techniques. The recently developed solvent-assisted recycling technique is shown depolymerize recycle thermoset wastes low-toxic solvents mild processing conditions. macromolecular polymer chains can cleaved at target covalent bonds on the chain backbone through bond exchange reactions solvent molecules. In this study, influences of various material conditions network depolymerization speed studied from both experimental theoretical points view. A diffusion-reaction chemomechanics modeling framework defined link physical properties organic microscale reaction kinetics overall thermosets parameters. study reveals how temperature, density, solvent, particular, diffusivity solvent/polymer interactions would affect speed. It enhances our understanding underlying fundamentals solvents, which provides valuable insights for industrials optimize develop appropriate strategies waste management.