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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Block Copolymer Sequence Inversion through Photoiniferter Polymerization

Block copolymers prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization are often restricted to a specific comonomer blocking sequence that is dictated by intermediate radical stability and relative radical leaving group abilities. Techniques that provide alternative pathways for reinitiation of thiocarbonylthio-terminated polymers could allow access to block copolymer sequences currently unobtainable through the RAFT process. In this paper, we report a method for preparing “inverted” block copolymers, whereby the traditional order of monomer addition has been reversed through the use of photoiniferter-mediated radical polymerization. Specifically, thiocarbonylthio photolysis of xanthate- and dithiocarbamate-functional macromolecular chain transfer agents (macro-CTAs) led to the direct formation of leaving group macroradicals otherwise unaffordable by an addition–fragmentation mechanism. We believe this method could provide a route to synthesize multiblock copolymers of synthetically challenging comonomer sequences.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Unlocking hidden information in sparse small-angle neutron scattering measurements

Hypothesis Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) is a powerful technique for studying soft matter systems such as colloids, polymers, and lyotropic phases, providing nanoscale structural insights. However, its effectiveness is limited by low neutron flux, leading to long acquisition times and noisy data. Here, we hypothesize that Bayesian statistical inference using Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) can reconstruct high-fidelity scattering data from sparse measurements by leveraging intensity smoothness and continuity. Experiments and Simulations The method was benchmarked computationally and validated through SANS experiments on various soft matter systems, including wormlike micelles, colloidal suspensions, polymeric structures, and lyotropic phases. GPR-based inference was applied to both experimental and synthetic data to evaluate its effectiveness in noise reduction and intensity reconstruction. Findings GPR significantly enhances SANS data quality and therefore reducing measurement times by up to two orders of magnitude. This cost-effective approach maximizes experimental efficiency, enabling high-throughput studies and real-time monitoring of dynamic systems. It is particularly beneficial for weakly scattering and time-sensitive studies. Beyond SANS, this framework applies to other low-SNR techniques, including laboratory-based small-angle X-ray scattering and various dynamical scattering methods. Furthermore, it offers transformative potential for compact neutron sources, enhancing their viability for structural analysis in resource-limited settings.

Small angle neutron scattering↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ready Access to Anhydrous Anionic Lanthanide Acetates by Using Imidazolium Acetate Ionic Liquids as the Reaction Medium

Abstract Access to lanthanide acetate coordination compounds is challenged by the tendency of lanthanides to coordinate water and the plethora of acetate coordination modes. A straightforward, reproducible synthetic procedure by treating lanthanide chloride hydrates with defined ratios of the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([C 2 mim][OAc]) has been developed. This reaction pathway leads to two isostructural crystalline anhydrous coordination complexes, the polymeric [C 2 mim] n [{Ln 2 (OAc) 7 } n ] and the dimeric [C 2 mim] 2 [Ln 2 (OAc) 8 ], based on the ion size and the ratio of IL used. A reaction with an IL : Ln‐salt ratio of 5 : 1, where Ln=Nd, Sm, and Gd, led exclusively to the polymer, whilst for the heaviest lanthanides (Dy−Lu) the dimer was observed. Reaction with Eu and Tb resulted in a mixture of both polymeric and dimeric forms. When the amount of IL and/or the size of the cation was increased, the reaction led to only the dimeric compound for all the lanthanide series. Crystallographic analyses of the resulting salts revealed three different types of metal‐acetate coordination modes where η 2 μκ 2 is the most represented in both structure types.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Preparation of Macroscopic Low-Density Gold Foams with Good Machinability

Uniform, macroscopic monoliths (ranging from a few millimeters to a centimeter) of low-density gold foams with ~95% porosity and ~10-μm-diameter pores were prepared by the casting of gold-coated polystyrene core-shell particles followed by the thermal removal of the polymer core. The Au foams were composed of unique hollow gold spheres and showed superior mechanical integrity and resilience compared to the foams we previously reported. Highly efficient seeding and electroless gold-plating methods in this study caused a significant morphological transition in the gold coatings from coarse particles to fine particles, and finally, to a continuous layer. A modified, scalable casting approach to form large uniform monoliths (up to ~1-cm diameter) and a gentle baking condition to minimize undesirable densification of the final foams enabled us to develop a simple, efficient synthetic route to nanostructured macroscopic low-density gold foams. To demonstrate the improved mechanical stability and machinability, a representative monolithic Au foam (~0.9 g/cm 3 ) was carefully cut into the hollow cylinder of gold foams by a series of machining and processing steps. Finally, we tried to understand the unique mechanical behaviors and properties of this gold foam by nanoindentation measurement.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nonfused Nonfullerene Acceptors with an A–D–A'–D–A Framework and a Benzothiadiazole Core for High-Performance Organic Solar Cells

Nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) have contributed significantly to the progress of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, most NFAs feature a large fused-ring backbone, which usually requires a tedious multiple-step synthesis, and are not applicable to commercial applications. An alternative strategy is to develop nonfused NFAs, which possess synthetic simplicity and facile tunability in optoelectronic properties and solid-state microstructures. In this work, we report two nonfused NFAs, BTCIC and BTCIC-4Cl, based on an A-D-A'-D-A architecture, which possess the same electron-deficient benzothiadiazole central core but different electron-withdrawing terminal groups. The optical properties, energy levels, and molecular crystallinities were finely tuned by changing the terminal groups. Moreover, a decent power conversion efficiency of 9.3 and 10.5% has been achieved by BTCIC and BTCIC-4Cl, respectively, by blending them with an appropriate polymer donor. These results demonstrate the potential of A-D-A'-D-A type nonfused NFAs for high-performance OSCs. Further development of nonfused NFAs will be very fruitful by employing appropriate building blocks and via side-chain optimizations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Excited State Bond Homolysis of Vanadium(V) Photocatalysts for Alkoxy Radical Generation

Advancements in photocatalysis have transformed synthetic organic chemistry, using light as a powerful tool to drive selective chemical transformations. Recent approaches have focused on metal-halide ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) photoactivated bond homolysis reactions leveraged by earth-abundant elements to generate valuable synthons for radical-mediated cross-coupling reactions. Of recent utility, oxovanadium(V) LMCT photocatalysts exhibit selective alkoxy radical generation from aliphatic alcohols upon blue light (UVA) irradiation under mild conditions. The selective photochemical liberation of alkoxy radicals is valuable for applying late-stage fragmentation approaches in organic synthesis and depolymerization strategies for nonbiodegradable polymers. Steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy were used to assign the electronic structure of three well-defined V(V) photocatalysts in their ground and excited states. We assign the excited state for this transformation at earth-abundant vanadium(V), interrogating the electronic structure using static UV–visible absorption, ultrafast transient absorption, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy coupled to computational approaches. Furthermore, these findings afford assignments of the short-lived excited state intermediates that dictate selective homolytic bond cleavage in metal alkoxides, illustrating the valuable insight gleaned from fundamental investigations of the molecular photochemistry responsible for light-escalated chemical transformations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Fast growth and high-titer bioproduction from renewable formate via metal-dependent formate dehydrogenase in Escherichia coli

Microbial bioproduction using one-carbon (C1) feedstocks has the potential to decarbonize the manufacturing of materials, fuels, and chemicals. Formate is a promising C1 feedstock, and the realization of industrial, formatotrophic platform organisms is a key goal for C1-based bioproduction. So far, a major limitation for synthetic formatotrophy has been slow energy supply due to slow formate dehydrogenase activity. Here, we implement a fast, metal-dependent formate dehydrogenase complex in a synthetic formatotrophic Escherichia coli utilizing the reductive glycine pathway. After a short-term evolution, we demonstrate formatotrophic growth of E. coli with a doubling time of less than 4.5 h, comparable to the fastest natural formatotrophs. To further explore the potential of a formate-based bioeconomy, this strain is engineered to produce mevalonate, as well as the terpenoid and aviation fuel precursor isoprenol, using formate we generate directly from the electrochemical reduction of CO2. This work demonstrates an improvement in bioproduct titer from formate, achieving the production of 3.8 g/L of mevalonate. Additionally, the abundant and recalcitrant polymer lignin is chemically decomposed into a formate-rich mixture of small organic acids and subsequently bioconverted into mevalonate. Overall, the described fast-growing, formatotrophic bioproduction strain demonstrates that a sustainable formate bioeconomy is within reach.

Cowan, Aidan E↗
DOE OSTI2023

Co-Assembly of Carbon Nanotube Porins into Biomimetic Peptoid Membranes

Robust and cost-effective membrane-based separations are essential to solving many global crises, such as the lack of clean water. Even though the current polymer-based membranes are widely used for separations, their performance and precision can be enhanced by using a biomimetic membrane architecture that consists of highly permeable and selective channels embedded in a universal membrane matrix. Researchers have shown that artificial water and ion channels, such as carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs), embedded in lipid membranes can deliver strong separation performance. However, their applications are limited by the relative fragility and low stability of the lipid matrix. In this work, we demonstrate that CNTPs can co-assemble into two-dimension (2D) peptoid membrane nanosheets, opening up a way to produce highly programmable synthetic membranes with superior crystallinity and robustness. A combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements to verify the co-assembly of CNTP and peptoids are used and show that it does not disrupt peptoid monomer packing within the membrane. In conclusion, these results provide a new option for designing affordable artificial membranes and highly robust nanoporous solids.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advances in engineering microbial biosynthesis of aromatic compounds and related compounds

Abstract Aromatic compounds have broad applications and have been the target of biosynthetic processes for several decades. New biomolecular engineering strategies have been applied to improve production of aromatic compounds in recent years, some of which are expected to set the stage for the next wave of innovations. Here, we will briefly complement existing reviews on microbial production of aromatic compounds by focusing on a few recent trends where considerable work has been performed in the last 5 years. The trends we highlight are pathway modularization and compartmentalization, microbial co-culturing, non-traditional host engineering, aromatic polymer feedstock utilization, engineered ring cleavage, aldehyde stabilization, and biosynthesis of non-standard amino acids. Throughout this review article, we will also touch on unmet opportunities that future research could address.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Robust perfluorinated porous organic networks: Succinct synthetic strategy and application in chlorofluorocarbons adsorption

Fluorinated porous organic networks (F-PONs) have demonstrated unique properties and applications, but approaches capable of affording F-PONs with high fluorine content and robust nanoporous architecture under metal-free and easy handling conditions are still rarely reported. Herein, using polydivinylbenzene (PDVB) as an easily available precursor, a novel and straightforward approach was developed to afford F-PONs via a dehydrative Friedel-Crafts reaction using perfluorinated benzylic alcohols as the cross-linking agent promoted by Brønsted acid (trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. Furthermore, the afforded material (F-PDVB) featured high fluorine content (22 at.%), large surface area (771 m 2 ∙g -1 ), and good chemical/thermal stability, rendering them as promising candidates for the adsorption of CO 2 , hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons, with weight capacities up to 520 wt% being achieved. This simple methodology can be extended to fabricate fluorinated hyper-crosslinked polymers (F-HCPs) from rigid aromatic monomers. The progress made in this work will open new opportunities to further expand the involvement of fluorinated materials in large scale applications.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Bioinspired Supercharging of Photoredox Catalysis for Applications in Energy and Chemical Manufacturing

For more than a decade, photoredox catalysis has been demonstrating that when photoactive catalysts are irradiated with visible light, reactions occur under milder, cheaper, and environmentally friendlier conditions. Furthermore, this methodology allows for the activation of abundant chemicals into valuable products through novel mechanisms that are otherwise inaccessible. The photoredox approach, however, has been primarily used for pharmaceutical applications, where its implementation has been highly effective, but typically with a more rudimentary understanding of the mechanisms involved in these transformations. From a global perspective, the manufacture of everyday chemicals by the chemical industry as a whole currently accounts for 10% of total global energy consumption, and generates 7% of the world's greenhouse gases annually. In this context, the Bio-Inspired Light-Escalated Chemistry (BioLEC) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) was founded to supercharge the photoredox approach for applications in chemical manufacturing aimed at reducing its energy consumption and emissions burden, by using bio-inspired schemes to harvest multiple electrons to drive endothermically uphill chemical reactions. The Center comprises a diverse group of researchers with expertise that includes synthetic chemistry, biophysics, physical chemistry, and engineering. Here the team works together to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanistic details of photoredox reactions while amplifying the applications of these light-driven methodologies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Anti-polyelectrolyte and polyelectrolyte effects on conformations of polyzwitterionic chains in dilute aqueous solutions

Abstract Polyzwitterions (PZs) are considered as model synthetic analogs of intrinsically disordered proteins. Based on this analogy, PZs in dilute aqueous solutions are expected to attain either globular (i.e. molten, compact) or random coil conformations. Addition of salt is expected to open these conformations. To the best of our knowledge, these hypotheses about conformations of PZs have never been verified. In this study, we test these hypotheses by studying effects of added salt [potassium bromide (KBr)] on gyration and hydrodynamic radii of poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) in dilute aqueous solutions using dynamic light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering, respectively. Effects of zwitteration are revealed by direct comparisons of the PZs with the polymers of the same backbone but containing (1) no explicit charges on side groups such as poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)s and (2) explicit cationic side groups with tertiary amino bromide pendants. Zeta-potential measurements, transmission electron microscopy, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the PZs acquire net positive charge in near salt-free conditions due to protonation but retain coiled conformations. Added KBr leads to nonmonotonic changes exhibiting an increase followed by a decrease in radius of gyration (and hydrodynamic radius), which are called antipolyelectrolyte and polyelectrolyte effects, respectively. Charge regulation and screening of charge–charge interactions are discussed in relation to the antipolyelectrolyte and polyelectrolyte effects, respectively, which highlight the importance of salt in affecting net charge and conformations of PZs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Polymer Macrocycles: A novel topology to control dynamics of rubbery materials (Final Report)

One of the current challenges in polymer physics and engineering is to understand the behavior of circular macromolecules. Though such molecules have been made by dilute solution ring closure methods in the past, such procedures have been limited to relatively small, unentangled rings as well as to small sample quantities. Initial studies were also hampered by issues surrounding purity of the rings, though this problem has been somewhat overcome by the use of liquid chromatography at critical conditions (LCCC) methods that separate rings and linear chains. Furthermore, in spite of the continued progress a full understanding of ring dynamics remains elusive. The present work has addressed multiple aspects of the behavior of ring molecules by using a novel synthetic route: reversible radical recombination redox polymerization (R3P) to produce poly(3,6-dioxa-1,8-octanedithiol) (PolyDODT) molecules. The synthesis conditions were chosen to produce linear (LDODT), cyclic (RDODT) and linear-cyclic mixtures (LRDODT) in order to investigate dilute solution and rheological responses of the materials. Importantly, the R3P synthesis makes larger quantities and higher molecular weights than do the dilute solution ring closure methods and also has the potential to be scaled to industrial quantities, thus becoming commercializable. We emphasize two important outcomes of the work. The first is that the rheological investigation shows that very large molecular weight the PolyDODT rings permitted the investigation of ring dynamics from glassy towards terminal flow for molecular sizes corresponding to approximately 300 entanglements of the linear counterpart. At the same time, these very large sized rings could be diluted in a solvent in order to reduce the molecular entanglement density to less than unity. The results demonstrate that ring viscosity follows a Rouse-like linear dependence on molecular weight or entanglement number to approximately 15 entanglements. This range of "Rouse-like" response is greater than what was achieved in all prior works where synthesis conditions have limited the molecular sizes achievable. After the entanglement number $Z_w$ increases beyond approximately 15, we find that the viscosity-molecular weight scaling undergoes a rapid change from the Rouse-like $η\sim{Z}^1_w$ to a very strong power-law scaling that is approximately $η\sim{Z}^{5.8}_w$. This aspect of the work strongly suggests that prior investigations on highly pure rings have invariably been performed on unentangled systems simply because ring molecules have very high entanglement thresholds. The results are further supported by plateau modulus measurements that show that in the "Rouse-like" viscosity regime, for the RDODT samples there is a corresponding lack of a rubbery entanglement plateau and once entanglement coupling is seen, the rubbery plateau also appears in the dynamic modulus data. Furthermore, upon appropriate scaling, we show that the unentangled polyDODT rings (i.e., the diluted high molecular weight rings) show virtually identical dynamics (upon appropriate scaling to account for the chain dilutions) to the dynamics of similarly unentangled LCCC fractionated polystyrene rings.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Chitin- and cellulose-based sustainable barrier materials: a review

Abstract The accumulation of synthetic plastics used in packaging applications in landfills and the environment is a serious problem. This challenge is driving research efforts to develop biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable barrier materials derived from renewable sources. Cellulose, chitin/chitosan, and their combinations are versatile biobased packaging materials because of their diverse biological properties (biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial properties, antioxidant activity, non-toxicity, and less immunogenic compared to protein), superior physical properties (high surface area, good barrier properties, and mechanical properties), and they can be assembled into different forms and shapes (powders, fibers, films, beads, sponges, gels, and solutions). They can be either assembled into packaging films or used as fillers to improve the properties of other biobased polymers. Methods such as preparation of composites, multilayer coating, and alignment control are used to further improve their barrier, mechanical properties, and ameliorate their moisture sensitivity. With the growing application of cellulose and chitin-based packaging materials, their biodegradability and recyclability are also discussed in this review paper. The future trends of these biobased materials in packaging applications and the possibility of gradually replacing petroleum-based plastics are analyzed in the “Conclusions” section.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structure-dependent mechanisms for plastic degradation in the marine environment

The visible and invisible accumulation of waste plastic in our oceans is a consequence of rapidly increasing inputs and very slow degradation rates. In general, this combination of effects results in long residence times. Nevertheless, the abiological degradation rate of a specific synthetic plastic varies widely, depending on its structural characteristics at the molecular, mesoscopic, and macroscopic levels. This chapter summarizes factors that determine these rates of degradation, and describes their principal mechanisms, for several of the major types of waste plastic found in the oceans. Mechanical forces cause cracking and flaking that break macroplastics into microplastics and even smaller fragments with increasing surface-to-volume ratios. Chemical degradation rates increase with surface area, influenced by intrinsic variations in crystallinity and the presence of additives, as well as extrinsic factors such as temperature, pH, and UV light intensity. Since polyolefin-based plastics are less dense than seawater and lack hydrolysable bonds in their polymer backbones, they accumulate close to the surface of the ocean where photo-oxidation is the principal cause of C–C bond cleavage in the polymer backbone. In contrast, polyesters and polyamides are denser than seawater and they sink, experiencing less exposure to solar irradiation. However, they can also degrade by slow hydrolysis of the C–O or C–N bonds intrinsic to the polymer structures.

Maciulis, Nicholas A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Effects of Salt on Phase Behavior and Rheological Properties of Alginate–Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complexes

Oppositely charged polyelectrolytes often form polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) due to the association through electrostatic interactions. Obtaining PECs using natural, biocompatible polyelectrolytes is of interest in the food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries. In this work, PECs were prepared from two biopolymers, positively charged chitosan and negatively charged alginate. We investigate the changes in the structure and properties of PECs by adding sodium chloride (salt doping) to the system. The shear modulus of PECs can be tuned from ~10 to 10 4 Pa by changing the salt concentration. The addition of salt led to a decrease in the water content of the complex phase with increasing shear modulus. However, at a very high salt concentration, the shear modulus of the complex phase decreased but did not lead to the liquid coacervate formation, typical of synthetic polyelectrolytes. This difference in phase behavior has likely been attributed to the hydrophobicity of chitosan and long semiflexible alginate and chitosan chains that restrict the conformational changes. Large amplitude oscillatory shear experiments captured nonlinear responses of PECs. The compositions of the PECs, determined as a function of salt concentration, signify the preferential partitioning of salt into the complex phase. Small-angle X-ray scattering of the salt-doped PECs indicates that the Kuhn length and radius of the alginate–chitosan associated structure qualitatively agree with the captured phase behavior and rheological data. This study provides insights into the structure–property as a function of salt concentration of natural polymer-based PECs necessary for developing functional materials from natural polyelectrolytes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fundamental studies of thermal and electrical transport in microporous metal-organic frameworks

In this work, we established porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as designer conductors of electrons and ions relevant to fundamental research and technological applications. MOFs are porous, crystalline materials composed of organic linkers and inorganic nodes. While most MOFs are insulating with respect to ionic and electronic charge carriers, a number of exceptions have been reported in recent years. Electrically conductive MOFs are highly attractive for applications including electrical energy storage, chemiresistive sensing, and optoelectronics because of their high surface areas and tunable chemical properties. Ion-conducting MOFs are desirable for the synthetically tunable size, shape, and polarity of their pore environments, allowing for the tailored development of solid state electrolytes for metal-ion batteries. We developed systematic strategies for the design of MOFs that conduct ions and electrons. For each objective, we leveraged the versatile chemistry of these materials to obtain frameworks with targeted properties towards electronic or ionic charge carriers. We studied the factors that govern electrical transport in MOFs in order to gain fundamental knowledge of this emerging class of materials. We took several approaches to tackle this problem from multiple angles. Namely, we synthesized and characterized new frameworks, investigated post-synthetic modifications to enhance conductivity, and correlated theory and experiment to uncover new mechanistic findings. These results, which put forth new design principles for conductive MOFs, move the field toward one of the DOE Basic Energy Sciences Grand Challenges: to “design and perfect atom- and energy-efficient synthesis of revolutionary new forms of matter with tailored properties.” In addition to investigating the movement of electrons in MOFs, we also studied the movement of other charged species in MOFs, such as protons, lithium, and magnesium. Proton-conducting frameworks could be appealing materials for solid state electrolytes in fuel cells. In addition, they contain crystallographically defined proton-conducting channels, in contrast with state-of-the-art polymer membranes such as Nafion, which are amorphous. Controlling pore size and polarity in MOFs can thus shed light on proton and other ion transport mechanisms, ultimately enabling the design of more advanced electrolyte materials and potentially novel electrical energy storage materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Polymer and Composite Recycle and Upcycling

The production of PET worldwide in 2014 was approximately 41.56 million metric tons, and it is forecasted to be approximately 73.39 million metric tons by 2020. Likewise, it is estimated that by 2020, there will be 62,000 tons of end-of-life waste carbon fiber reinforced polymer generated. Additionally, the high cost of carbon fiber and the energy intensity required to produce virgin fiber, which is between 198-595 MJ/kg, demonstrates the need to recover the value of carbon fiber composites. The ability to chemically recycle PET and carbon fiber reinforced epoxy will find value as a method to produce other value-added materials, using the recycled materials as additives to high value products. The objective of the work is to increase the value of waste PET and carbon fiber reinforced epoxy by chemical deconstruction. The aims are to synthesize a library of phthalimide additives and fiber reinforced vitrimers. The additives will be added to asphalt cement binder and mechanical properties will be evaluated to demonstrate a feasible synthetic pathway to value-added intermediates. Fiber reinforced vitrimers will be recast as new high value materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗