Microbranching‐Stabilized Dynamic Epoxy Networks for Rapid‐Curing, Mechanically Robust, and Upcyclable Thermosets

ABSTRACT Rapid‐curing epoxy thermosets are highly attractive for scalable composite manufacturing, yet rapid network formation often compromises cure homogeneity, mechanical robustness, and end‐of‐life reuse. Here, we report a microbranching‐stabilized dynamic epoxy network that integrates rapid curing, balanced strength and toughness, and thermoset upcycling. A liquid mixed amine curing agent (Gm‐12) featuring a precisely designed microbranching architecture forms a homogeneous liquid–liquid blend with a commercial epoxy monomer, allowing complete curing within 10 min at 150° C. The resulting epoxy network (DGm‐12) develops a well‐defined microphase‐separated morphology that preserves a high effective crosslink density while introducing dissipative domains, thereby achieving a tensile strength of 88 MPa and a fracture toughness of 3.5 MPa m 1/2 . The incorporation of dynamic ester and disulfide bonds further enables rapid network rearrangement and full reprocessability. Consequently, partially cured or expired prepregs can be reused, fully cured composites can be reshaped, and clean carbon fibers can be recovered through hydrothermal degradation in water. Together, these results establish a design principle for reconciling rapid curing, strong and tough mechanical performance, and composite‐level upcycling in epoxy thermosets.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Published
2026-05-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.9002258
Primary Topic
Epoxy Resin Curing Processes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Microbranching‐Stabilized Dynamic Epoxy Networks for Rapid‐Curing, Mechanically Robust, and Upcyclable Thermosets

Yucheng Zi, Zihan Zhao, Ousheng Zhang, Dongxu Pei et al.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Epoxy Resin Curing Processes
article

Microbranching‐Stabilized Dynamic Epoxy Networks for Rapid‐Curing, Mechanically Robust, and Upcyclable Thermosets

Yucheng Zi, Zihan Zhao, Ousheng Zhang, Dongxu Pei, Jigang Yang, Baoyan Zhang, Rui Peng, Jianhua Tang, Jun Hu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rapid‐curing epoxy thermosets are highly attractive for scalable composite manufacturing, yet rapid network formation often compromises cure homogeneity, mechanical robustness, and end‐of‐life reuse. Here, we report a microbranching‐stabilized dynamic epoxy network that integrates rapid curing, balanced strength and toughness, and thermoset upcycling. A liquid mixed amine curing agent (Gm‐12) featuring a precisely designed microbranching architecture forms a homogeneous liquid–liquid blend with a commercial epoxy monomer, allowing complete curing within 10 min at 150° C. The resulting epoxy network (DGm‐12) develops a well‐defined microphase‐separated morphology that preserves a high effective crosslink density while introducing dissipative domains, thereby achieving a tensile strength of 88 MPa and a fracture toughness of 3.5 MPa m 1/2 . The incorporation of dynamic ester and disulfide bonds further enables rapid network rearrangement and full reprocessability. Consequently, partially cured or expired prepregs can be reused, fully cured composites can be reshaped, and clean carbon fibers can be recovered through hydrothermal degradation in water. Together, these results establish a design principle for reconciling rapid curing, strong and tough mechanical performance, and composite‐level upcycling in epoxy thermosets.

Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Sinopec (China) (CN), AviChina Industry & Technology (China) (CN), Beijing Advanced Sciences and Innovation Center (CN), Beijing University of Chemical Technology (CN)
Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Epoxy Resin Curing Processes
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