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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Bidirectional Disulfide Metathesis Enables Recycling of High-Performance Thermoset Networks
Bohan Li1,2, Jie Zheng3, Daniel Paniroi Situmorang2
1Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Great Bay University, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|July 13, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel recycling strategy for polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) by incorporating dynamic disulfide bonds. This innovation enables thermal reprocessing and chemical depolymerization, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance thermosets.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) is a high-performance thermoset with excellent mechanical and chemical properties.
- The permanent crosslinked network of pDCPD poses significant challenges for sustainable recycling.
- Existing recycling methods for thermosets are limited, driving the need for innovative solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a recyclable high-performance thermoset based on pDCPD.
- To incorporate dynamic disulfide bonds into the pDCPD network to enable reprocessing.
- To enhance the mechanical properties of pDCPD while achieving recyclability.
Main Methods:
- Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) was employed to synthesize pDCPD.
- A cyclic disulfide comonomer was incorporated into the polymer network.
- Thermal reprocessing and chemical depolymerization strategies were investigated.
Main Results:
- The incorporation of disulfide bonds enabled thermal reprocessing via associative bond exchange.
- Chemical depolymerization yielded disulfide-terminated oligomers that could be repolymerized.
- The modified pDCPD exhibited enhanced toughness and stiffness compared to conventional pDCPD.
- The developed material demonstrated dual-mode recyclability without performance loss.
Conclusions:
- A novel route to dual-mode recyclable, high-performance hydrocarbon thermosets was established.
- Bidirectional disulfide metathesis was demonstrated as a practical tool for thermoset circularity.
- This approach offers a sustainable alternative for the end-of-life management of pDCPD-based materials.
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