Closed-loop recycling of sulfur-rich polymers with tunable properties spanning thermoplastics, elastomers, and vitrimers

Closed-loop recycling of sulfur-rich polymers with tunable properties spanning thermoplastics, elastomers, and vitrimers

08 April 2024 | Jin-Zhuo Zhao, Tian-Jun Yue, Bai-Hao Ren, Xiao-Bing Lu, Wei-Min Ren
This study presents a universal synthetic strategy for producing polytrithiocarbonates, a class of sulfur-rich polymers, through the polycondensation of dithiols and dimethyl trithiocarbonate (DMTC). This method is compatible with a wide range of monomers, including aliphatic, heteroatomic, and aromatic dithiols, enabling the synthesis of polytrithiocarbonates with diverse structures. The resulting polymers exhibit excellent optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, and can be easily depolymerized into monomers via solvolysis, which can then be repolymerized without changing the material properties. The study also explores the application of these polytrithiocarbonates in constructing thermoplastic elastomers and vitrimers, demonstrating their potential for closed-loop recycling and chemical recycling (CRM). The closed-loop recycling process involves depolymerizing the polymers into monomers and then regenerating the polymers, establishing a sustainable lifecycle. The research highlights the significance of developing chemically recyclable polymers to address the environmental issues associated with non-degradable polymers.This study presents a universal synthetic strategy for producing polytrithiocarbonates, a class of sulfur-rich polymers, through the polycondensation of dithiols and dimethyl trithiocarbonate (DMTC). This method is compatible with a wide range of monomers, including aliphatic, heteroatomic, and aromatic dithiols, enabling the synthesis of polytrithiocarbonates with diverse structures. The resulting polymers exhibit excellent optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, and can be easily depolymerized into monomers via solvolysis, which can then be repolymerized without changing the material properties. The study also explores the application of these polytrithiocarbonates in constructing thermoplastic elastomers and vitrimers, demonstrating their potential for closed-loop recycling and chemical recycling (CRM). The closed-loop recycling process involves depolymerizing the polymers into monomers and then regenerating the polymers, establishing a sustainable lifecycle. The research highlights the significance of developing chemically recyclable polymers to address the environmental issues associated with non-degradable polymers.
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Understanding Closed-loop recycling of sulfur-rich polymers with tunable properties spanning thermoplastics%2C elastomers%2C and vitrimers