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Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries

The circularity of current and future polymeric materials is a major focus of fundamental and applied research, as undesirable end-of-life outcomes and waste accumulation are global problems that impact our society. The recycling or repurposing of thermoplastics and thermosets is an attractive solut...

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Autores principales: Yan, Tianwei, Balzer, Alex H., Herbert, Katie M., Epps, Thomas H., Korley, LaShanda T. J.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10208058/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37234906
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3sc00551h
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author Yan, Tianwei
Balzer, Alex H.
Herbert, Katie M.
Epps, Thomas H.
Korley, LaShanda T. J.
author_facet Yan, Tianwei
Balzer, Alex H.
Herbert, Katie M.
Epps, Thomas H.
Korley, LaShanda T. J.
author_sort Yan, Tianwei
collection PubMed
description The circularity of current and future polymeric materials is a major focus of fundamental and applied research, as undesirable end-of-life outcomes and waste accumulation are global problems that impact our society. The recycling or repurposing of thermoplastics and thermosets is an attractive solution to these issues, yet both options are encumbered by poor property retention upon reuse, along with heterogeneities in common waste streams that limit property optimization. Dynamic covalent chemistry, when applied to polymeric materials, enables the targeted design of reversible bonds that can be tailored to specific reprocessing conditions to help address conventional recycling challenges. In this review, we highlight the key features of several dynamic covalent chemistries that can promote closed-loop recyclability and we discuss recent synthetic progress towards incorporating these chemistries into new polymers and existing commodity plastics. Next, we outline how dynamic covalent bonds and polymer network structure influence thermomechanical properties related to application and recyclability, with a focus on predictive physical models that describe network rearrangement. Finally, we examine the potential economic and environmental impacts of dynamic covalent polymeric materials in closed-loop processing using elements derived from techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment, including minimum selling prices and greenhouse gas emissions. Throughout each section, we discuss interdisciplinary obstacles that hinder the widespread adoption of dynamic polymers and present opportunities and new directions toward the realization of circularity in polymeric materials.
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spelling pubmed-102080582023-05-25 Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries Yan, Tianwei Balzer, Alex H. Herbert, Katie M. Epps, Thomas H. Korley, LaShanda T. J. Chem Sci Chemistry The circularity of current and future polymeric materials is a major focus of fundamental and applied research, as undesirable end-of-life outcomes and waste accumulation are global problems that impact our society. The recycling or repurposing of thermoplastics and thermosets is an attractive solution to these issues, yet both options are encumbered by poor property retention upon reuse, along with heterogeneities in common waste streams that limit property optimization. Dynamic covalent chemistry, when applied to polymeric materials, enables the targeted design of reversible bonds that can be tailored to specific reprocessing conditions to help address conventional recycling challenges. In this review, we highlight the key features of several dynamic covalent chemistries that can promote closed-loop recyclability and we discuss recent synthetic progress towards incorporating these chemistries into new polymers and existing commodity plastics. Next, we outline how dynamic covalent bonds and polymer network structure influence thermomechanical properties related to application and recyclability, with a focus on predictive physical models that describe network rearrangement. Finally, we examine the potential economic and environmental impacts of dynamic covalent polymeric materials in closed-loop processing using elements derived from techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment, including minimum selling prices and greenhouse gas emissions. Throughout each section, we discuss interdisciplinary obstacles that hinder the widespread adoption of dynamic polymers and present opportunities and new directions toward the realization of circularity in polymeric materials. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023-05-05 /pmc/articles/PMC10208058/ /pubmed/37234906 http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3sc00551h Text en This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
spellingShingle Chemistry
Yan, Tianwei
Balzer, Alex H.
Herbert, Katie M.
Epps, Thomas H.
Korley, LaShanda T. J.
Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
title Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
title_full Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
title_fullStr Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
title_full_unstemmed Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
title_short Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
title_sort circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
topic Chemistry
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10208058/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37234906
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3sc00551h
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