Carbonate-Containing Epoxy Resin for Recyclable Cross-Linked Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available epoxy resins face challenges in recyclability due to their cross-linked structure, which is difficult to degrade, and the introduction of ester groups for chemical degradability is limited by the difficulty in retaining multifunctional alcohol or phenolic groups during preparation.
Innovation Solution
A carbonate-containing epoxy resin is synthesized by reacting an aromatic carbonate group-containing structure with an epoxy group-containing structure using a catalyst, allowing for the formation of a carbonate-containing epoxy resin that can be cured and subsequently degraded using an amine group-containing compound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epoxy resin is cross-linked to improve thermal and chemical stability, then the cured product has excellent physical properties, but the cross-linked structure becomes difficult to degrade and recycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the cross-linked network by introducing carbonate groups (unstable bonds) into the epoxy resin structure. This allows the cured product to maintain cross-linked stability during use but enables chemical degradation through carbonate bond cleavage, achieving both reliability and recyclability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite chemical structure combining stable cross-linked networks with unstable carbonate bonds. This dual-structure approach allows the material to exhibit both the durability of cross-linked polymers and the degradability needed for recycling
2Ease of manufacture
If ester groups are introduced to improve chemical degradability, then the cured product can be recycled, but it is difficult to retain multifunctional alcohol or phenolic groups during preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbonate groups as an intermediary structure that fulfills the role of unstable bonds for degradation while being compatible with epoxy resin synthesis. The carbonate group serves as a mediator that provides degradability without interfering with the epoxidation of multifunctional alcohol or phenolic groups, unlike ester groups
3Quantity of substance
If phenolic resin is used to prepare multifunctional epoxy resin, then high molecular weight multifunctional epoxy can be obtained, but formaldehyde must be used which creates environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful formaldehyde component from the synthesis pathway. By using alternative methods to prepare phenolic resin or employ other multifunctional compounds, the invention achieves high molecular weight multifunctional epoxy resin without relying on formaldehyde, thereby eliminating the environmental harm
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting epoxy cured product exhibits excellent thermal and mechanical properties and can be chemically recycled, reducing waste by enabling effective degradation and recycling.
Implementation Method 1
the carbonate group reacts with the epoxy group to form the structure of formula (I) or formula (II)
Implementation Method 2
an amine group-containing compound is reacted with the epoxy cured product to degrade the epoxy cured product
Data Source
AI summary
A carbonate-containing epoxy resin and a manufacturing method for a carbonate-containing epoxy resin, an epoxy cured product and a method for degrading an epoxy cured product are provided. The carbonate-containing epoxy resin includes a structure represented by formula (I) or formula (II). Formula (I) and formula (II) are defined as in the specification.