NU 2022-018
INVENTORS John Mark Torkelson* Mohammed Abdulaziz Bin Rusayyis
SHORT DESCRIPTION Polymethacrylate networks with unique crosslinking regime that enables full recovery of initial cross-link density after reprocessing
ABSTRACT Northwestern researchers have developed a novel approach to improve the recyclability and reprocessability of polymer networks. Thermoset plastics make up a wide variety of the plastic in our everyday lives, but they are stringently crosslinked which significantly reduces their recyclability and reprocessability. The lack of recyclability is largely attributed to the nature of permanent crosslinks throughout the polymer networks. To mitigate these drawbacks, Northwestern researchers have designed a unique crosslinker that enables the synthesis of polymethacrylate networks that can be processed several times under mild condition and recover with properties comparable to the pristine network. This approach produces polymer networks that outperform existing dissociative networks in that they have higher temperature tolerability, mild re-processing conditions, and remarkable property recovery. Additionally, the crosslinker here can be adjusted to yield polymer networks with a diverse range of properties, depending on the intended application.
APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
PUBLICATION Bin Rusayyis, M. A., & Torkelson, J. M. (2022). Reprocessable and recyclable chain-growth polymer networks based on dynamic hindered urea bonds. ACS Macro Letters, 11(4), 568-574.
IP STATUS US and International patent applications have been filed
The crosslinking approach here enables the recovery of polymethacrylate polymer network characteristics after multiple processing cycles.