Washington State University develops efficient carbon fiber recycling technology

According to Washington State University, the school’s mechanical and materials engineering A research team led by Professor Jinwen Zhang of the college has recently developed a new technology for carbon fiber recycling.

The team used a weak acid as a catalyst to decompose thermosetting materials at relatively low temperatures using liquid ethanol containing the catalyst. In order to achieve a better decomposition effect, the researchers raised the temperature of the material during the experiment, so that the liquid containing the catalyst can better immerse into the interior of the composite material and destroy the solidified complex structure. Professor Zhang used ethanol to swell the resin, and then used zinc chloride to break the carbon-nitrogen bonds in the chemical molecules.

“The key to achieving effective recycling of carbon fibers is to find a catalyst that can effectively impregnate the cured resin system and break its chemical bonds.” Professor Zhang said.

This method has been proved to be effective by experiments, and the decomposed carbon fiber and resin are stored separately and put into reproduction. The team has applied for a technical patent for it and is trying to put it into commercial application.

The research, funded by the Joint Center for Aeronautical Technology Innovation (JCATI), also included associate professor Junna Xin, postdoctoral fellow Tuan Liu, and master’s student Xiaolong Guo.