Cross-linked epoxy resin, a thermosetting resin, typically cannot be dissolved in organic solvents, making materials like carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) challenging to recycle. Our study has successfully dissolved epoxy resin within 2 hours at atmospheric pressure and 100 °C, the optimal conditions for depolymerization, using an aqueous NaOCl solution. This breakthrough enables the recycling of CFRPs. The depolymerization mechanism involves hydroxyl radicals generated from the aqueous NaOCl solution. We identified that an initial pH of 12.05 and a reaction temperature of 100 °C are ideal for the process. The reclaimed carbon fibers (CFs) maintained physical properties similar to those of virgin CFs. Additionally, high-value products were fabricated using the CFs and resin decomposition products recovered after CFRP decomposition, maximizing recyclability and minimizing waste generation. -Journal cover design by scapiens
[Scientific Journal cover design] Low-Thermal-Budget Fluorite-Structure Ferroelectrics for Future Electronic Device Applications
In article number 2100028, Jiyoung Kim, Si Joon Kim, and their team review key factors involved in developing fluorite-structure ferroelectrics
