Introduction of reversible crosslinker into artificial marbles toward chemical recyclability

Organic/inorganic composites containing thermally breakable crosslinker were prepared for exploring the possibility in fabrication of recyclable artificial marble composed of acrylic resin and aluminum hydroxide. The breakable crosslinker was fabricated using Diels–Alder reaction from furfuryl methacrylate and bismaleimide. De-crosslinking reaction was also triggered by retro-Diels–Alder reaction. The basic properties of artificial marbles fabricated by breakable crosslinker, i.e chemical, thermal, mechanical and coloring properties, are compared to that of conventional one, which is based on unbreakable crosslinker.