Chemical Recycling of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites Using Mild Conditions |
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Authors: | Elisabeth Schamel Gerd Wehnert Herbert Schlachter Dominik Söthje |
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Affiliation: | 1. Nuremberg Institute of Technology, Department of Applied Chemistry, Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry, Keßlerplatz 12, 90489 Nuremberg, Germany;2. Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Department of Engineering, Wuerzburger Straße 45, 63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany |
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Abstract: | The increased use of carbon fiber reinforced thermosets generates more waste and end-of-life products. However, an efficient recycling method for the expensive carbon fibers has not yet been developed. The selective decomposition of amine-cured epoxy resin under mild conditions is presented. A two-step method was investigated to decompose the epoxy resin. The optimum parameters were initially determined using a model compound. By analysis of the reaction products, a cleavage of the C–N bond according to the Cope elimination could be proven. Therefore, the Cope elimination is suggested as the main step of the decomposition of amine-cured epoxy resins in presence of hydrogen peroxide. By dissolving the resin, it is possible to recover resin-free fibers with unimpaired mechanical properties. |
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Keywords: | Carbon fiber composites Chemical recycling Cope elimination Hydrogen peroxide Epoxy resin |
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