Recyclable and malleable thermosets enabled by activating dormant dynamic linkages

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Traditional thermoset polymers are difficult to recycle due to permanent crosslinking.
• Chemical recycling is crucial for plastic circular economy and environmental sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the chemical recycling of polycyanurate thermosets into their original monomers.
• To develop a sustainable method for thermoset polymer reuse.

Main Methods:

• Retrosynthetic analysis to redirect the synthetic route.
• Formation of C-O bonds via reversible nucleophilic aromatic substitution.
• Synthesis of alkyl-polycyanurate thermosets using a reversible route.

Main Results:

• Successfully recycled polycyanurate thermosets into original monomers.
• Developed alkyl-polycyanurate thermosets with excellent film properties.
• Demonstrated closed-loop recyclability and reprocessing capability.

Conclusions:

• 'Dormant' covalent bonds in thermosets can be activated for recycling.
• A new reversible synthetic route enables sustainable thermoset polymer production.
• This approach broadens monomer scope and increases sustainability for thermoset polymers.