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Preparation and Evaluation of Hybrid Composites of Chemical Fuel and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Study of Thermopower Waves

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One Molecule, Two Roles: Vitrimer-Enabled Polypropylene for High-Performance, Recyclable MWCNT Nanocomposites.

Ketaki Samanta¹, Indranil Dey¹, Tamalika Ash²

¹Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012, India.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|November 20, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study transforms recycled polypropylene into advanced vitrimer nanocomposites using a novel transesterification method. The resulting materials offer enhanced performance and recyclability, paving the way for sustainable polymer engineering.

Keywords:

dynamic covalent adaptable networks (CANs)multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)post‐consumer recycled polypropylene (PCR PP)sustainable polymer upcycling vitrimer nanocomposites

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Area of Science:

Polymer Science and Engineering
Materials Science
Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

Post-consumer recycled polypropylene (PCR PP) often lacks high-performance properties required for advanced applications.
Developing recyclable and high-performance polymer composites is crucial for sustainable materials engineering and reducing plastic waste.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a scalable method for creating recyclable vitrimer nanocomposites from PCR PP.
To enhance the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of PCR PP using dynamic crosslinking and nanofiller reinforcement.

Main Methods:

A catalyst-driven transesterification strategy using bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) and zinc acetate to form dynamic covalent adaptable networks (CANs) in PCR PP.
Incorporation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for enhanced dispersion, interfacial adhesion, and material properties.
Utilizing computational modeling to understand BHET-MWCNT interactions and their effect on vitrimerization.

Main Results:

The synthesized PCR PP vitrimer nanocomposites exhibited improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity, even at low MWCNT loadings.
Rheological studies confirmed enhanced melt strength and viscoelastic stability, indicating suitability for reprocessing.
Computational and experimental results showed that MWCNTs suppress BHET self-hydrogen bonding, improving vitrimer efficiency and acting as nucleating agents for controlled crystallinity.

Conclusions:

This work presents a novel approach to upcycling plastic waste into high-performance, recyclable vitrimer nanocomposites.
The developed materials demonstrate excellent recyclability and property retention, suitable for circular economy applications.
The strategy effectively combines dynamic crosslinking with nanofiller reinforcement to create advanced sustainable polymer materials.