Recycling of Epoxy/Fiberglass Composite Using Supercritical Ethanol with (2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium)2[CuCl4] Complex

Abstract

The widespread use of polymer composite materials (PCM) leads to an increase in non-recyclable waste. This paper discusses the feasibility of recycling fiberglass with an epoxy matrix by solvolysis in ethanol under supercritical conditions. The solvolysis process completes successfully within four hours in an environment of a pure solvent containing 10% water at a temperature of 280 °C when the solvent passes into the supercritical state. The treatment time increases up to 10 h at a process temperature of 250 °C. When using a coordination compound of copper(II) chloride with organic chloride salt having 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium as the counterion, having the composition of (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium)2[CuCl4], the treatment time is reduced. The addition of the complex of 5% by weight makes it possible to completely remove the epoxy matrix at a temperature of 250 °C for two hours. The products separated from the solvolysis liquid were studied by infrared spectroscopy. The resulting fibers were examined by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The residual strength of the recovered fibers is 98%. Thus, the resulting fibers can be reused in the composite industry. Including both for the production of decorative products and for the production of structural products made of polymer composite materials.

Machine Learning-Assisted Tensile Modulus Prediction for Flax Fiber/Shape Memory Epoxy Hygromorph Composites

“…In their study, flax fiber/shape memory epoxy hygromorph composites were mechanically deformed with consideration of two fiber orientations (0 • and 90 • ) at five temperatures (20 • C, 40 • C, 60 • C, 80 • C, and 100 • C) and two humidity conditions (50% and fully immersed). The details of the tensile tests can be found elsewhere [21,24]. The samples, which were saturated, had dimensions of t 0 • = 0.56 mm and width w 0 • = 15 mm for flax fiber orientations at 0 • EL, and t 90 • = 0.56 mm and width w 90 • = 25 mm for flax fiber orientations at 90 • .…”

“…The use of steel plates reinforced with epoxy resin adhesive to enhance the loadbearing capacity of prestressed reinforced concrete bridges has become increasingly popular [21]. Kuo et al have investigated the development of injection molding tools utilizing epoxy resin [22,23].…”

Coordination Compound (2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium)2[CuBr4] as Catalyst for the Curing Process of Epoxy Vinyl Ester Binders

“…At the temperature of 280 • C, the rate of the process increased. The fully recovered glass fiber was obtained after 4 h. The addition of 5% compound (2,3,5-TPhTz) 2 [CuCl 4 ] of the solvent weight helped to reduce the process time to 2 h at a temperature of 250 • C [42].…”