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

Journal Article · · Matter (Online)
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  1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Renewable Resources and Enabling Science Center; BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO (United States)
  2. BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center
  3. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). National Wind Technology Center
  4. BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Strategic Energy Analysis Center
  5. 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.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO); 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)
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), Vol. 7, Issue 2; ISSN 2590-2385
Publisher:
Cell Press/ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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