Catalyst-free malleable, degradable, bio-based epoxy thermosets and its application in recyclable carbon fiber composites

Abstract Carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRCs) are a kind of most potential materials due to the high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent fatigue and corrosion resistance. However, the vast majority of CFRCs prepared from carbon fiber and thermosetting matrices are difficult to be recycled and depend on limited fossil resources. Here, for the first time, we reported fully bio-based catalyst-free epoxy vitrimers for CFRCs. The epoxy vitrimers exhibited excellent malleability and could be reprocessed by compression molding. Outstanding degradability was also achieved, which enabled multiple recovery of CF from their CFRCs without damage. In addition, CFRCs regenerated from multiple recovered CF exhibited insignificant differences from the original CFRCs. This work will provide an effective method for the sound development of CFRCs from both economic and environmental aspects.