Washington State University

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.

University of Wyoming

Empire Technology Development LLC

Jinwen Zhang

Junna Xin

Tuan Liu

Maohong Fan

Jay-lin Jane

Wenyang Lu

Perminus Mungara

Wenjia Song

Yu Fu

Ming Xian

Xiaoqing Liu

Hongzhi Liu

Wangcheng Liu

Hang Liu

A high-efficiency, low-energy consumption and environmental-friendly recycling technology for PETE plastic waste is disclosed. The degradation of PETE plastic waste includes a method for attacking the —O— ester linkage in the repeat unit of PETE plastic with water in saturated pressure and COin supercritical (Sc) conditions.

Use of multifunctional CO2 for depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate

Embodiments of this invention are directed to bio-based epoxy compositions. and method of their preparation and use. Other embodiments are directed to cured bio-based epoxies, and manufactured articles having bio-based epoxy coatings, adhesives, or composites.

Vegetable oil-derived epoxy compositions having improved performance

Embodiments of this invention are directed to bio-based epoxy compositions, and method of their preparation and use. Other embodiments are directed to cured bio-based epoxies, and manufactured articles having bio-based epoxy coatings, adhesives, or composites.

Techniques for chemically recycling cellulose waste such as cotton are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes hydrolyzing a cotton waste and dissolving cellulose in the hydrolyzed cotton waste in an aqueous solution containing an alkali and one or more of urea ((NH2)2CO), polyethylene glycol, or thiourea (SC(NH2)2) to produce another aqueous solution containing dissolved cellulose. Then the another aqueous solution containing the dissolved cellulose can be extruded into a coagulation bath to coalesce the dissolved cellulose in the extruded solution, thereby reforming the dissolved cellulose from the cotton waste into a regenerated fiber.

Environmentally friendly cellulose waste recycling

The present embodiments herein generally relate to thermoset resins that are derived from vegetable oil based sources, including fibrous plant sources. The utilization of plant based oil as starting materials makes the technology a green alternative to currently available solutions. This, coupled with the novel synthetic methods that are utilized, results in a transformation of the plant based oils into useful, durable, and resilient thermoset resins.

Preparation of vegetable oil-based monomers for use in thermosetting resins

The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to methods of recycling epoxy polymers using organic salts as catalysts in an aqueous solution. Epoxy polymers and their composites are widely used in many fields such as coatings, adhesives, wind blades, automobiles, aeronautic vehicles, and sporting goods. However, the management of thermoset composite wastes is becoming a public concern as the out of service thermoset products build up. With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and the depleting of landfill sites, it is of great importance to develop an economically viable and environmentally-friendly recycling technology of thermoset materials that is suitable to industrial scale-up production. As such, there is a clear and present need for a novel solution that is environmentally friendly and scalable in the market.

Methods for chemical degradation of epoxies using organic salts as catalysts

Compositions of biodegradable polymer blends and methods for making these polymers are disclosed. A polymer blend may have a composition of at least one biodegradable polyester present in about 50 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the polymer composition, at least one biodegradable elastomer with cross-linked epoxy functional groups, and at least one catalytic curing agent. The at least one biodegradable elastomer and the at least one catalytic curing agent can be present in a total amount of about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of the polymer composition, and can be present in a weight-to-weight ratio of about 19:1 to about 1:1. Further, the polymer may have a notched Izod impact strength according to ASTM D256 of about 150 Joules/meter to about 1200 Joules/meter.

Biodegradable polyester-based blends

A novel bio-based superabsorbent polymer material based on a proteinaceous natural polymer is introduced herein. There is further disclosed a method for the manufacture of such a bio-based crosslinked superabsorbent polymer material. The method includes, but not limited to, introducing polymerizable unsaturated groups onto the natural polymer or its derivative so as to yield a macromonomer. The macromonomer can be formed by covalently binding unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds to a proteinaceous substrate through a reaction of a selected chemical compound and the amino group on the proteinaceous substrate. The macromonomer is then copolymerized with unsaturated co-monomer(s) to form a crosslinked superabsorbent material.

Bio-based superabsorbents prepared via the macromonomer approach

Methods for producing functionalized graphene from graphite oxide or graphite are disclosed in which ionic liquids are used as a reaction medium to promote chemical functionalization of the graphene through electrochemically interacted exfoliation of graphene sheets.

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Pullman, WA, United States of America

Jinwen Zhang