Recyclable Bio-based Thermoset Furan-Epoxy Networks via Diels-Alder Crosslinks

Strong and lightweight thermoset polymeric can be used for many structural applications. However, thermoset materials may cause significant environmental problems since many of such materials cannot be recycled and have to be stored in landfills. Thus, thermoset that can be recycled, or even renewed will have a substantial impact on reducing the adverse environmental impact of such materials. Renewable polymer composite is a promising path for reducing environmental pollution while improving the sustainability of such materials for the long future. By introducing the thermo-reversible covalent bonds in the molecular network, the thermoset material can be reprocessed upon a suitable thermal trigger. One of the most effective reversible covalent bonds is the Diels Alder (DA) bond between furan and maleimide because of its relatively fast kinetics and mild reaction conditions. In this work, the reversible DA networks were prepared from bio-based furan grafting on epoxy and maleimides crosslinkers of different structures. The kinetics and thermodynamics properties of the dynamic network were studied following the evolution of structure formation and dissociation.