The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Thermosetting epoxy resins are widely used in high-performance applications but remain challenging to recycle due to their permanently crosslinked network structures. In this study, we report a bio-based epoxy thermoset derived from eugenol that incorporates acid-cleavable silyl ether linkages to enable rapid depolymerization and efficient chemical recovery. This molecular design allows selective cleavage of the thermoset network under mild acidic conditions, followed by subsequent reactions that facilitate the recovery of bio-based components. Despite its recyclability, the epoxy thermoset maintains favorable thermomechanical properties, demonstrating that high performance and chemical recoverability can be simultaneously achieved. These results highlight silyl ether chemistry as an effective strategy for developing depolymerizable epoxy thermosets with high chemical recovery, offering a promising route toward sustainable thermoset recycling.