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A team of scientists from South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan Textile University and Hubei University in China have announced the successful development of a high-performance, recyclable carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite (CFRP). By maintaining high mechanical strength, durability and enabling recyclability, the group sees the novel CFRP as a practical solution for sectors such as aerospace, automotive and construction. in the August 2024 issue of Chinese Journal of Polymer Science,

The novel CFRP uses a high-strength recyclable epoxy resin (HREP) based on a dynamic dithioacetal covalent adaptive network, which enables the material to undergo structural rearrangement at elevated temperatures. The resin is composed of diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA), pentaerythritol tetra (3-mercapto-propionate; PETMP) and vanillin epoxy resin (VEPR). This distinctive chemical design achieves optimal reprocessing capability and strong resistance to solvents, according to the study.

To further enhance composite performance, the research team modified carbon fibers using hyperbranched ionic liquids (HBP-AMIM⁺PF₆⁻). These specially treated fibers, called CF-HBPPF₆, significantly improved interfacial bonding with the epoxy resin, leading to improved mechanical properties. The optimized CFRP — HREP20/CF-HBPPF₆ — exhibited a tensile strength of 1016.1 MPa, an interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of 70.8 MPa and an interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of 76.0 MPa. Moreover, researchers demonstrated that the CFRPs could be fully degraded in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 140°C within 24 hours, with the recovered carbon fibers retaining their original mechanical properties, making them suitable for reuse.

“Our study provides a solution to the recyclability challenge of CFRPs while also improving their mechanical performance,” notes professor Jun-Heng Zhang, one of the project’s leading researchers.

Find the full study here: DOI: .