A rapid electrochemical method to recycle carbon fiber composites using methyl radicals†
Abstract
We introduce an electrochemical approach to recycle carbon fiber (CF) fabrics from amine-epoxy carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs). Our novel method utilizes a Kolbe-like mechanism to generate methyl radicals from CH3COOH to cleave C–N bonds within epoxy matrices via hydrogen atom abstraction. Recovered CFs are then remanufactured into CFRPs without resizing.
- This article is part of the themed collections: Advances in Electrosynthesis for a Greener Chemical Industry, 2023 Green Chemistry Hot Articles and Sustainable Composites