Glycolysis of carbon fiber-epoxy unidirectional mat catalysed by sodium hydroxide

Abstract

Abstract. This study was conducted to recycle carbon fibre-epoxy (CFRP) composite in woven sheet/ mat form. The CFRP was recycled through glycolysis with polyethlyene glycol (PEG 200) as the solvent. The CFRP was loaded into the solvent at a ratio of 4:1 (w/w). PEG200 was diluted with water to a ratio of 80:20 (v/v). This reaction was catalysed by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with varying concentrations at 1.5, 1.7 and 1.9% (w/v). The glycolysis was conducted at 180-190 ºC. The recovered CF (rCF) was analysed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) while the degraded solution was analysed using FTIR and the epoxy content was determined. The FTIR spectrum of the rCF exhibited the disappearance of the COC peak belonged to epoxy and supported by the SEM micrographs that showed clear rCF. On the other hand, the analysed filtrate detected the disappearance of oxygen peak element in the EDX spectrum for all rCF samples. This gave an indication that the epoxy resin has been removed from the surface of the carbon fiber.

Recycling of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset composites: A review

“…It may even return to the production system of the same sector but in non-structural products. 83,105 Tertiary recycling consists of the decomposition of waste by thermal recycling, such as thermolysis 106 and pyrolysis 107,108 and chemical processes, such as solvolysis, 106,109 methanolysis, 110 hydrolysis, 111,112 alcoholysis, 113 and glycolysis 114 resulting in monomers and/or mixtures of hydrocarbons that can serve as raw material in refineries or petrochemical plants, to obtain noble products of high quality. [115][116][117] And the last type of recycling is the quaternary, which consists of energy recycling.…”