Reprocessable, Self-Adhesive, and Recyclable Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites Using a Catalyst-Free Self-Healing Bio-Based Vitrimer Matrix

The application of carbon fiber-reinforced composites (CFRCs) is limited owing to the difficulty of chemically recycling carbon fibers (CFs). To address this problem, we cured tung oil-based triglycidyl ester (TOTGE) with menthane diamine (MDA) in order to obtain a chemically degradable bio-based vitrimer matrix. The obtained vitrimer matrix could undergo a dynamic transesterification reaction catalyzed by the tertiary amines generated from the curing reaction. The TOTGE-MDA vitrimer matrix shows excellent self-healing performance, physical reprocessing, and shape memory properties. Meanwhile, CFRCs based on the TOTGE-MDA vitrimer matrix also exhibited excellent reprocessing, self-adhesive, and shape memory properties. The CFRC underwent rapid chemical degradation with ethanolamine at 90 degrees C. The performance of the recycled CFs was similar to that of the virgin CFs. This work provides an effective solution to facilitate the sustainable development of CFRCs.