Synthesis, characterization, and recycling of bio-derivable polyester covalently adaptable networks for industrial composite applications

Wang, Chen; Singh, Avantika; Rognerud, Erik G.; Murray, Robynne; Musgrave, Grant M.; Skala, Morgan; Murdy, Paul; DesVeaux, Jason S.; Nicholson, Scott R.; Harris, Kylee; Canty, Richard; Mohr, Fabian; Shapiro, Alison J.; Barnes, David; Beach, Ryan; Allen, Robert D.; Beckham, Gregg T.; Rorrer, Nicholas A.

doi:10.1016/j.matt.2023.10.033

Synthesis, characterization, and recycling of bio-derivable polyester covalently adaptable networks for industrial composite applications

Journal Article · Tue Dec 05 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Matter (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2023.10.033· OSTI ID:2282716

Wang, Chen ^[1]; Singh, Avantika ^[2]; Rognerud, Erik G. ^[1]; ^[3]; Musgrave, Grant M. ^[3]; Skala, Morgan ^[1]; ^[3]; DesVeaux, Jason S. ^[2]; Nicholson, Scott R. ^[4]; Harris, Kylee ^[2]; Canty, Richard ^[5]; Mohr, Fabian ^[5]; Shapiro, Alison J. ^[1]; Barnes, David ^[3]; ^[3]; Allen, Robert D. ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Renewable Resources and Enabling Science Center; BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO (United States)
BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). National Wind Technology Center
BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Strategic Energy Analysis Center
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are critical for energy-relevant applications such as wind turbine blades. Despite this, the end-of-life options for FRPs are limited as they are permanently cross-linked thermosets. To enable the circularity of FRPs, we formulated a bio-derivable polyester covalently adaptable network (PECAN), sometimes referred to as a polyester vitrimer, to manufacture FRPs at >1 kg scale, which is accomplished as the resin is infusible (175-425 cP at 25 °C viscosity), can be cured at 80 °C within 5 h and is depolymerizable via methanolysis yielding high-quality fibers and recoverable hardener. The FRPs exhibit a transverse tensile modulus comparable with today's wind relevant FRPs (10.4-11.9 GPa). Modeling estimates a resin minimum selling price of $2.28/kg and, relative to an epoxy-amine resin, PECAN manufacture requires 19%-21% less supply chain energy and emits 33%-35% less greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, this study suggests that redesigned thermosets can yield beneficial circularity.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2282716

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--2A00-87214; MainId:87989; UUID:1e813d99-da72-48cf-8f7a-e2983349bbaa; MainAdminId:71625

Journal Information:: Matter (Online), Journal Name: Matter (Online) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 7; ISSN 2590-2385

Publisher:: Cell Press/ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Synthesis, characterization, and recycling of bio-derivable polyester covalently adaptable networks for industrial composite applications

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