Rapid repair and degradation: A study of high-performance recyclable vitrimer epoxy resin based on disulfide bonds

Petroleum-based epoxy resin is commonly used in electrical equipment due to its outstanding performance and affordability. However, its non-melting characteristics present challenges for recycling, leading to significant resource waste and environmental pollution. To address this issue, this study prepared and synthesized a kind of vitrimer epoxy resin polymer material based on disulfide bonds with 2,2′-Diaminodiphenyl disulphide as the curing agent. The research investigated the impact of the curing agent ratio on the resin's structure and properties. The resin was mechanically recovered through hot pressing at high temperature and pressure, and its chemical degradation and recovery were achieved via the reduction reaction of the thiol and disulfide bond. The findings revealed that a curing agent to epoxy group material ratio of 0.75 improved the resin system's electrothermal properties. The electrical insulation property retention rate after hot pressing recovery reached 95 %, with a mechanical property retention rate of 85 %. The disulfide bonds can be reoxidized and crosslinked to realize the recovery and reuse of vitrimer resin degradation solution. Vitrimer epoxy resin based on disulfide bonds is a significant way to realize the environmental protection of epoxy electrical equipment.