The Polymer Society of Korea

주준태 (한국화학연구원)

김동균 (한국화학연구원)

서지훈 (고려대학교)

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are lightweight and robust composites that are increasingly being used as an alternative to metal. However, conventional thermoset-based CFRPs are difficult to recycle due to their irreversibly crosslinked matrix, which hinders carbon fiber recovery and leads to waste accumulation. To address this issue, we developed a matrix using a sulfur-rich polymer (SRP) synthesized via inverse vulcanization, a strategy known for its dynamic covalent bonds. In this study, we synthesized a sulfur-rich terpolymer with two crosslinkers and fabricated CFRP composites using a powder-processing method. The resulting SRP CFRPs demonstrated not only excellent mechanical properties but also exhibited multifunctionality, including shape memory, self-healing and recyclability. This study offers a promising pathway for sustainable and functional CFRP applications.