Composite Recycling with Biocatalytic Thermoset ReformingClick to copy article linkArticle link copied!
- Clarissa OlivarClarissa OlivarDepartment of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, and Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Clarissa Olivar
- Zehan YuZehan YuDepartment of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science and M.C. Gill Composites Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Zehan Yu
- Ben MillerBen MillerDepartment of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, and Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesDepartment of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Ben Miller
- Maria TangalosMaria TangalosDepartment of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, and Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesDepartment of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Maria Tangalos
- Cory B. JenkinsonCory B. JenkinsonDepartment of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United StatesMore by Cory B. Jenkinson
- Steven R. NuttSteven R. NuttDepartment of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science and M.C. Gill Composites Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Steven R. Nutt
- Berl R. OakleyBerl R. OakleyDepartment of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United StatesMore by Berl R. Oakley
- Clay C. C. Wang*Clay C. C. Wang*Email: [email protected]Department of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, and Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesDepartment of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Clay C. C. Wang
- Travis J. Williams*Travis J. Williams*Email: [email protected]Department of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, and Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United StatesMore by Travis J. Williams
Abstract
Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs, or composites) are increasingly replacing traditional manufacturing materials used in the automobile, aerospace, and energy sectors. With this shift, it is vital to develop end-of-life processes for CFRPs that retain the value of both the carbon fibers and the polymer matrix. Here we demonstrate a strategy to upcycle pre- and postconsumer polystyrene-containing CFRPs, cross-linked with unsaturated polyesters or vinyl esters, to benzoic acid. The thermoset matrix is upgraded via biocatalysis utilizing an engineered strain of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, which gives access to valuable secondary metabolites in high yields, exemplified here by (2Z,4Z,6E)-octa-2,4,6-trienoic acid. Reactions are engineered to preserve the carbon fibers with much of their sizing so that the isolated carbon fiber plies are manufactured into new composite coupons that exhibit mechanical properties comparable to those of virgin manufacturing substrates. In sum, this represents the first system to reclaim a high value from both the fiber fabric and polymer matrix of a CFRP.
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