Methods of recycling and reshaping thermosetting polymers and composites thereof
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsHang Qi, Kai Yu, Qian Shi, Xiao Kuang
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Abstract
Various methods of reshaping and recycling thermoset polymers and composites containing thermoset polymers are provided. The methods involve the bond exchange reaction of exchangeable covalent bonds in the polymer matrix with a suitable small molecule solvent in the presence of a catalyst. In some aspects, the methods are applied to a carbon fiber reinforced polymer or a thermoset polymer where the thermoset polymer matrix includes a plurality of ester bonds. Using a small molecule alcohol, the methods provide for recycling one or both of the carbon fiber and the polymer, for welding two surfaces, or for repairing a damaged surface in the materials.
Claims26
A method for chemically welding a first surface of a first substrate to a second surface of a second substrate, wherein both the first surface and the second surface include a thermoset polymer matrix, the method comprising
- (a) contacting the first surface and the second surface with a small molecule solvent in the presence of a catalyst at a first elevated temperature for a first period of time;
- (b) contacting the first surface and the second surface to form an interface;
- (c) optionally applying pressure to the first substrate and second substrate, and
- (d) evaporating the small molecule solvent.
A method of repairing a surface of a thermoset polymer or a composite thereof, wherein the thermoset polymer or composite thereof comprises a thermoset polymer matrix, and wherein the surface comprises an imperfection, the method comprising:
- (a) applying a powder of the thermoset polymer to the surface of the thermoset polymer or composite thereof,
- (b) contacting the surface of the thermoset polymer or composite thereof and the powder with a small molecule alcohol in the presence of a catalyst at a first elevated temperature for a first period of time, and
- (c) evaporating the small molecule solvent to repair the imperfection in the substrate.
A method of recycling a thermoset polymer or a composite thereof, wherein the thermoset polymer or composite thereof comprises thermoset polymer matrix, the method comprising:
- (a) washing the thermoset polymer or a composite thereof in a small molecule solvent in the presence of a catalyst at a first elevated temperature for a first period of time;
- and
- (b) evaporating the small molecule solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.