Development of sustainable carbon fiber composites using dual dynamic epoxy vitrimers: a synergy of stiffness, flexibility, and recyclability.

ABSTRACT: The increasing demand of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites in sectors such as aerospace and wind energy underscores the need for sustainable end-of-life solutions. In this work, a dual dynamic bio-based epoxy consisting of covalent adaptable networks (vitrimers) was developed by blending diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) with acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) in varying ratios, cured with 2,2'-dithiodibenzoic acid (DTBA), and transesterification catalyzed by tin(ii) 2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)₂). Among the formulations, D70B30 and D50B50 vitrimers exhibited a synergistic balance between mechanical stiffness and flexibility, owing to the aromatic rigidity of DGEBA and the aliphatic softness of AESO. Both vitrimers demonstrated excellent thermal stability

SUBMITTER: Sharma H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12320733 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature