Highly efficient solvolysis of epoxy resin using poly(ethylene glycol)/NaOH systems

Highly efficient recycling of methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride-cured epoxy resin is feasible using a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/NaOH catalytic system, which can completely solubilise the epoxy resin at 180 °C in 50 min under atmospheric pressure. The structure of the solvolysis products has been characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, GPC and ESI-MS, indicating the decomposition of the curing bond through ester hydrolysis accompanied by transetherification as the plausible solvolysis mechanism. The process possesses high decomposition efficiency without requiring additional organic solvents or pressure, stressing the potential of this method for recycling of other anhydride-cured thermosetting resins.