Research Projects

Traditional thermoset epoxies are used in various industrial applications due to their strong mechanical strength, stability, and chemical resistance. However, they cannot be reshaped, processed, or recycled once cured, leading to landfill waste or incineration. In contrast, thermoplastics flow on heating and can be reprocessed but have poor mechanical properties, solvent and heat resistance, and structural stability. To overcome these limitations, the study aims to create materials with the combined mechanical properties of thermosets and the (re)processable and recyclable nature of thermoplastics. This can be achieved by incorporating covalent adaptive networks (CANs), which allow dynamic linkages to be reversible and exchangeable without compromising structural integrity. These CANs also release stress from deformation, enabling the reprocessing, reshaping, and recycling of cross-linked polymers. The goal is to create an epoxy vitrimer with excellent strength-to-weight ratio, self-healing properties, and recyclability. The hardener is designed to cure the epoxy within 2 hours at 120°C, enhancing the re-processability and re-cyclability of the prepared Epoxies.