Leveraging the monomer structure for high-performance chemically recyclable semiaromatic polyesters

The development of inexpensive and high-performance chemically recyclable polymers serves as a promising strategy for solving the issues regarding plastic pollution. In the current work, we prepared a series of aromatic monomers (DHB-R and DHN-R, R = Me, Et) derived from aromatic hydroxy acids and epoxides. Ring-opening polymerization of these monomers afforded the semiaromatic polyesters P(DHB-R) and P(DHN-R) (R = Me, Et) with high molecular weights and narrow dispersity. Remarkably, these polymers showed high thermal stability with 335 degrees C < T-d < 350 degrees C. Changing the benzene ring to a naphthalene ring on the polymer backbone led to a significant improvement in the glass transition temperature (T-g), from 49 to 100 degrees C. P(DHB-Me) behaved as a brittle and strong material, whereas P(DHB-Et) displayed excellent ductility with an elongation at break of 762.63 +/- 94.40%. More importantly, P(DHB-R) and P(DHN-R) could be effectively and selectively depolymerized into the corresponding monomers, establishing a circular plastics economy.

Automated summary

The development of inexpensive and high-performance chemically recyclable polymers offers a promising strategy for addressing plastic pollution. In this study, aromatic monomers derived from aromatic hydroxy acids and epoxides were used to prepare semiaromatic polyesters. These polymers exhibited high thermal stability and improved glass transition temperature. Additionally, they could be effectively and selectively depolymerized, establishing a circular plastics economy.