Demonstration of Complete Recycling Processes of Reversible Epoxies Using Solar Energy Conversion

Finale, Madeline; Logan, Jonathan; Saha, Arnob; Durfee, Matthew; Penners, Nicole; McCoy, John D.; Lee, Youngmin; Chowdhury, Sanchari

doi:10.1002/aesr.202400352

Title: Demonstration of Complete Recycling Processes of Reversible Epoxies Using Solar Energy Conversion

Journal Article · 29 January 2025 · Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aesr.202400352 · OSTI ID:2507476

Finale, Madeline ^[1]; Logan, Jonathan ^[1]; Saha, Arnob ^[1]; Durfee, Matthew ^[2]; Penners, Nicole ^[1];

^[2];

^[1];

^[1]

Department of Chemical Engineering New Mexico Tech Socorro NM 87801 USA
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering New Mexico Tech Socorro NM 87801 USA

Reversible epoxies using the Diels–Alder chemistry enables recycling processes through depolymerizing the polymer at higher temperature and then repolymerizing upon cooling. Compared to conventional bulk heating, photothermal heating can save time and resource and, consequently, reduce costs to reach an elevated temperature for recycling processes of the reversible epoxies. In previous studies, self‐healing of cracks and reattachments of two broken pieces have been presented using a laser; however, recycling of a sample as a whole is not feasible by using such a point light source. Herein, complete recycling processes are demonstrated utilizing an area light source, i.e., sunlight. Reversible epoxies are incorporated with carbon black and refractory plasmonic titanium nitride nanoparticles (NPs). Under concentrated (10 times) sunlight, they can generate sufficient heat (≈140 °C) to completely liquefy, reprocess, and reshape the samples multiple times. Recycling processes are validated by evaluation of mechanical properties for each cycle. Using an integrated experimental and theoretical approach, photothermal performance is investigated in terms of the dispersion and loading of photothermal NPs in the matrix, as well as the sample thickness. In this study, an insight is provided into the design of polymer/photothermal nanomaterial composites which can be sustainably recycled using abundant solar energy.

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Research Organization:: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0022261

OSTI ID:: 2507476

Journal Information:: Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, Journal Name: Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 6; ISSN 2699-9412

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Germany

Language:: English

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14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Diels Alder reactions
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solar energy conversions

Title: Demonstration of Complete Recycling Processes of Reversible Epoxies Using Solar Energy Conversion

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