Themed collection Sustainable Composites

21 items
Open Access Editorial

Introduction to sustainable composites

Professor Ian Hamerton, Dr Lois Jane Hobson & Dr Jonathan Wagner introduce the Royal Society of Chemistry cross-journal themed collection on sustainable composites.

Graphical abstract: Introduction to sustainable composites
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Open Access Perspective

Some of the challenges faced by the Composites Industry in its bid to become more sustainable

The Composites Industry needs to participate in future circular chemical economies. Cooperation, standardisation and increased availability of transparent industry data for life cycle analysis, are seen as critical to a more sustainable future.

Graphical abstract: Some of the challenges faced by the Composites Industry in its bid to become more sustainable
From the themed collection: RSC Sustainability Recent Review Articles
Review Article

Nanocarbon-based sensors for the structural health monitoring of smart biocomposites

Smart biocomposites with integrated nano-carbons based sensors for structural health monitoring advances the real-world applications.

Graphical abstract: Nanocarbon-based sensors for the structural health monitoring of smart biocomposites
From the themed collection: Recent Review Articles
Review Article

Processing and properties of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) fibres and their sustainable composite materials: a review

Jute fibres and their composites have attracted attention from researchers and have been used in many fields.

Graphical abstract: Processing and properties of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) fibres and their sustainable composite materials: a review
Open Access Review Article

Self-healable fiber-reinforced vitrimer composites: overview and future prospects

The article covers the outstanding features of fiber-reinforced vitrimer composites, including their reprocessing, recycling and self-healing properties.

Graphical abstract: Self-healable fiber-reinforced vitrimer composites: overview and future prospects
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Open Access Communication

An algae-derived partially renewable epoxy resin formulation for glass fibre-reinforced sustainable polymer composites

A brown algae-based renewable epoxy monomer can outperform bisphenol-A based epoxy resin and composite systems by means of thermomechanical properties.

Graphical abstract: An algae-derived partially renewable epoxy resin formulation for glass fibre-reinforced sustainable polymer composites
From the themed collection: SDG12: Responsible Production and Consumption
Communication

A rapid electrochemical method to recycle carbon fiber composites using methyl radicals

We report an electrochemical system for selective deconstruction and re-manufacture of epoxy-carbon fiber composite using a Kolbe-like mechanism for generating methyl radicals from CH3COOH. These cleave C–N bonds via hydrogen atom abstraction.

Graphical abstract: A rapid electrochemical method to recycle carbon fiber composites using methyl radicals
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

Ultra-violet light-driven green oxygen scavenging composite made of PVA/NRL for active packaging: an alternative to metallic oxygen scavengers

Fabrication of biodegradable oxygen-scavenging films and their activity at different temperatures for food packaging.

Graphical abstract: Ultra-violet light-driven green oxygen scavenging composite made of PVA/NRL for active packaging: an alternative to metallic oxygen scavengers
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Open Access Paper

A hierarchically modified fibre-reinforced polymer composite laminate with graphene nanotube coatings operating as an efficient thermoelectric generator

SWCNT-p-type TE films on GF with a power factor of 96 μW m−1 K−2. SWCNT-n-type TE films on GF with a power factor of 82 μW m−1 K−2. The GFRP–OTEG exhibited: VOC = 1.01 V, ISC = 850 μA, Pmax = 215 μW.

Graphical abstract: A hierarchically modified fibre-reinforced polymer composite laminate with graphene nanotube coatings operating as an efficient thermoelectric generator
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

B(C6F5)3 grafted inorganic fillers for supported titanium-catalyzed synthesis of UHMWPE composites

The preparation of polyolefin composites using inorganic fillers is one of the most important strategies for cost reduction and property enhancement.

Graphical abstract: B(C6F5)3 grafted inorganic fillers for supported titanium-catalyzed synthesis of UHMWPE composites
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Open Access Paper

Structure and properties of biobased polyamide 36,9/cellulose nanocomposites

The presence of renewable fillers, cellulose nanocrystals, enhances the Young's modulus of a biobased elastomer, polyamide 36,9. The modulus of the resulting fully biobased nanocomposites closely follows a classical theory of composite mechanics.

Graphical abstract: Structure and properties of biobased polyamide 36,9/cellulose nanocomposites
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Open Access Paper

Surface modification of aramid fiber meshes – the key to chemically recyclable epoxy composites

Fiber surface functionalization can play a dual role in the development of fiber reinforced polymer composites; improving the overall performance and enabling recovery of high-quality fibers.

Graphical abstract: Surface modification of aramid fiber meshes – the key to chemically recyclable epoxy composites
From the themed collection: Circular Economy
Paper

Pyrene-based covalent organic polymers with nano carbonaceous composites for efficient supercapacitive energy storage

We prepared Py-DSDA-COP/SWCNTs and this material showed a capacitance of 171 F g−1 and energy density of 23.7 W h kg−1 which is superior to those of Py-DSDA-COP/MWCNTs and Py-DSDA-COP/C60 nanocomposites.

Graphical abstract: Pyrene-based covalent organic polymers with nano carbonaceous composites for efficient supercapacitive energy storage
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

Bio-based captodative ligands for redox polymerization of Elium® thermoplastic composites under mild conditions

Thermoplastic polymers obtained from Elium® combine desirable properties including recyclability/reusability. In this work new biobased redox initiating systems are proposed for Elium.

Graphical abstract: Bio-based captodative ligands for redox polymerization of Elium® thermoplastic composites under mild conditions
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

Fully recyclable high-performance polyacylsemicarbazide/carbon fiber composites

Realizing the complete and non-destructive recycling of carbon fiber reinforced composite materials is of great significance for the pursuit of sustainability and a circular economy.

Graphical abstract: Fully recyclable high-performance polyacylsemicarbazide/carbon fiber composites
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

Solvent-free preparation of imine vitrimers: leveraging benzoxazine crosslinking for melt processability and tunable mechanical performance

Orthogonal benzoxazine crosslinking enables the solvent-free preparation of dynamic imine vitrimers with tailorable thermomechanical performance, efficient reprocessability, and chemical degradation.

Graphical abstract: Solvent-free preparation of imine vitrimers: leveraging benzoxazine crosslinking for melt processability and tunable mechanical performance
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Open Access Paper

A molecular dynamics approach to modelling oxygen diffusion in PLA and PLA clay nanocomposites

Computational techniques predict the barrier performance of poly(lactide) composites, studying the relationship between free volume, polymer morphology and gas diffusion.

Graphical abstract: A molecular dynamics approach to modelling oxygen diffusion in PLA and PLA clay nanocomposites
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

A mild and efficient oxidative degradation system of epoxy thermosets: full recovery and degradation mechanism

An efficient oxidation degradation is achieved together with full recovery of the degradation product via the selective cleavage of the C–C and C–O bonds in the hydroxyethyl ether unit, and the C–N bonds using the ammonium ceric nitrate system.

Graphical abstract: A mild and efficient oxidative degradation system of epoxy thermosets: full recovery and degradation mechanism
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

Catalyst-free dynamic transesterification towards a high-performance and fire-safe epoxy vitrimer and its carbon fiber composite

A new strategy was proposed to design a fire-safe vitrimer with catalyst-free adaptable ester-linked networks and its composite. Furthermore, the vitrimer matrix in the composite was degraded to achieve carbon fibers with nearly 100% recyclability.

Graphical abstract: Catalyst-free dynamic transesterification towards a high-performance and fire-safe epoxy vitrimer and its carbon fiber composite
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Paper

Recyclable CFRPs with extremely high Tg: hydrothermal recyclability in pure water and upcycling of the recyclates for new composite preparation

In this work, a recyclable epoxy system with superior mechanical performance and high Tg (>200 °C) is developed for CFRPs, and a simple and feasible approach for highly efficient closed-loop recycling of CFRPs is demonstrated.

Graphical abstract: Recyclable CFRPs with extremely high Tg: hydrothermal recyclability in pure water and upcycling of the recyclates for new composite preparation
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
Research Article

A novel eco-friendly strategy on the interfacial modification of a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite via chitosan encapsulation

The interfacial properties are the key factors affecting the properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites.

Graphical abstract: A novel eco-friendly strategy on the interfacial modification of a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite via chitosan encapsulation
From the themed collection: Sustainable Composites
21 items

About this collection

The Royal Society of Chemistry is delighted to present this cross-journal themed collection on Sustainable Composites, guest edited by Professor Ian Hamerton (University of Bristol), Dr Lois Hobson (Centre for Process Innovation) and Dr Jonathan Wagner (Loughborough University).

The Royal Society of Chemistry is committed to championing new research and promoting skills and development in the composites sector. This cross-journal themed collection contributes to the action plan from the Sustainable Composite Materials report by the RSC. This cross-journal themed collection on Sustainable Composites creates opportunities for researchers to publish peer-reviewed studies on sustainable composites. It intends to bring together articles tackling the sustainability of the entire composite lifecycle, including new composite feedstocks, low-energy manufacturing, design for end-of-life, in-use benefits, extended composite lifetime and repair, material recovery and recycling.

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