Documents published in Scipedia

• Bio-based recyclable crosslinked polyurethanes based on a thermally reversible Diels-Alder adduct

  A. Restrepo Montoya, I. Larraza, K. Gonzalez, O. Echeverria Altuna, I. Harismendy, A. Saralegi, A. Eceiza

  Materiales Compuestos (2024). Vol. 08 - COMUNICACIONES MATCOMP21 (2022) Y MATCOMP23 (2023), (Núm. 4 - Sostenibilidad y Reciclaje), 15

  
  

  Abstract

  Thermosets comprise a family of chemically cross-linked networks formed by irreversible chemical reactions, resulting in polymers with outstanding properties such as superior mechanical properties, high thermal stability and chemical resistance. However, their high stability precludes reprocessing or recycling, thus making it difficult to move towards a circular economy and sustainability. During the last years, research has focused on dynamic chemistry, in order to introduce reversible bonds along the polymer chain and synthesize reprocessable and/or recyclable thermosets. In this context, the Diels-Alder reaction is of special interest, as it can give thermoreversible reactions with a relatively low coupling and high decoupling temperature. Within this work, a trifunctional polyol containing the furan-maleimide Diels-Alder adduct has been developed to facilitate the recycling of cross-linked polyurethanes. The maleimide-furan adduct forms covalent bonds at low temperatures, but when heated these bonds break down, splitting the polymer chain into smaller chains and softening the polymer, allowing it to be reprocessed. Then, when the temperature drops, the bonds between the maleimide and the furan are reformed and the polymer regains its mechanical properties. Thereby, a thermoset polyurethane was synthesized reacting the triol containing Diels-Alder adduct with a polymeric isocyanate. The reprocessability and/or recyclability of the synthesized polyurethane was then evaluated by breaking it into small pieces and reprocessing them by pressing at high temperature, in order to obtain new sheets and evaluate their mechanical properties, being similar to the original ones.

  Abstract
  Thermosets comprise a family of chemically cross-linked networks formed by irreversible chemical reactions, resulting in polymers with outstanding properties such as superior [...]

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• Thermoset polyurethanes based on recycled and biobased constituents

  E. Mendiburu-Valor, I. Larraza, O. Echeverria Altuna, I. Harismendy, A. Eceiza

  Materiales Compuestos (2024). Vol. 08 - COMUNICACIONES MATCOMP21 (2022) Y MATCOMP23 (2023), (Núm. 4 - Sostenibilidad y Reciclaje), 21

  
  

  Abstract

  Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the most consumed plastics in the world, so it is very common to find it in the sea or ocean. Thermomechanical recycling is normally used for urban and industrial PET waste, but it is not suitable for highly degraded marine litter. Chemical recycling of marine PET litter is presented as an alternative for the valorization of this highly degraded waste. The bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomer obtained can be used in the synthesis of new polymers. This study explores the potential of using BHET for the synthesis of high modulus and high strength thermoset polyurethanes. In addition, a renewable reagent, such as a polyol derived from castor oil, has been used to synthesize a recycled and biobased polyurethane thermoset (BHET-BioPU). The resulting BHET-BioPU has been thermally, thermo-mechanically and mechanically characterized to evaluate its potential applications. In addition, the recyclability by glycolysis of the BHET-BioPU has been demonstrated, thus advancing towards a circular economy. The results of this study provide fundamental knowledge for the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly and high performance materials and recyclable as well, materials, and represent an important achievement in the global effort to reduce dependence of fossil resources and plastic pollution.

  Abstract
  Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the most consumed plastics in the world, so it is very common to find it in the sea or ocean. Thermomechanical recycling is normally [...]

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