Direct metathesis deconstruction to recycle poly(dicyclopentadiene) composites

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Publication Details

Journal
Science Advances
Published
2026-09-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aef4204
Primary Topic
Photopolymerization techniques and applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Direct metathesis deconstruction to recycle poly(dicyclopentadiene) composites

Kwangwook Ko, Zachariah A. Page, Lingyang Zhu, Samuel Leguizamon et al.
Science Advances
Photopolymerization techniques and applications
article

Direct metathesis deconstruction to recycle poly(dicyclopentadiene) composites

Kwangwook Ko, Zachariah A. Page, Lingyang Zhu, Samuel Leguizamon, Benjamin A. Suslick, Terry Price, Leah Appelhans, Nancy R. Sottos, Meghan T. Kiker, Hayden E. Fowler, Jeremiah A. Johnson, Evan Sproul, Yan Xia, Jeffrey S. Moore, Keldy S. Mason, Edgar B. Mejia, Franz A. Stolpen, Benjamin Juba, Zhenchuang Xu
article en

Abstract

The permanent cross-links that give thermosets their strength and durability also make them difficult to recycle. Here, we present a green, scalable strategy for the chemical deconstruction of poly(dicyclopentadiene) (pDCPD) thermosets and composites using metathesis-based chemical recycling. Key findings include the identification of cyclopentyl methyl ether as a "green" processing solvent for mild deconstruction and an understanding of the catalytic fragmentation mechanism wherein both ring-closing metathesis and chain transfer pathways are present. The deconstruction protocol is shown to be effective for a variety of pDCPD samples produced via distinct ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) curing methods, including frontal-ROMP, photoROMP, and thermal ROMP, as well as with commercial thermoset formulations and fiber-reinforced composites. As a proof of concept for future translatability, embedded electronics, glass fibers, pristine carbon fibers, and >90% recovery of polymer fragments are demonstrated. Last, a detailed life cycle analysis indicates that this approach offers a viable (high credit) alternative to contemporary thermoset disposal and incineration, opening a path toward closed-loop recycling of high-performance pDCPD materials.

Science AdvancesVol. 12(37)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US), Urbana University (US), Savannah River National Laboratory (US), Sandia National Laboratories (US), Arizona State University (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), The University of Texas at Austin (US), Stanford University (US)
U.S. Department of Energy, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Photopolymerization techniques and applications
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