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Liquid Metal-Based Bifunctional Catalysis: Bridging Lactone Polymerization, Polyester Recycling, and Sustainable Flexible Electronics

delete2026-08-11
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PRE
AI
R
Ruiyong Feng
J
Jiali Wang
Q
Qingyao Zhao
Y
Yi Zhang
D
Danfeng Pei *
J
Jian Zhao *
C
Chaoxu Li *
DOI:10.1002/adfm.77564delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Catalysts enabling both lactone polymerization and polyester depolymerization are essential for achieving chemical recyclability, yet the development of low-cost, efficient, and multifunctional catalysts remains a major challenge. Herein, liquid metals (LMs), especially gallium (Ga), which served as dual-functional catalysts, facilitated both the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones and their subsequent depolymerization back to monomers. Using 0.2 vol% Ga as the catalyst, homopolymerization and copolymerization of p-dioxanone (PDO) and ε-decalactone (ε-DL) were efficiently realized. The polymerization mechanism was studied. Subsequently, the depolymerization of PPDO and PPDO-co-PDL under Ga was investigated. Ga catalysis enabled a remarkable depolymerization efficiency of up to 98%, along with a 25% reduction in activation energy. Finally, PPDO-co-PDL polyols via Ga catalysis were used to synthesize PPDO-co-PDL thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). The soft segment of TPUs could be chemically recycled using a Ga catalyst, whereby PDO and ε-DL monomers were recovered. Beyond catalytic performance, LMs could also render the TPUs applicable to sustainable flexible electronics. PPDO-co-PDL TPUs with 15 vol% Ga could serve as electronic inks for 3D printing, with the corresponding films suitable for electromagnetic shielding. By integrating catalytic functions toward polymerization and depolymerization with flexible nanofiller roles, LMs provide a new strategy for recyclable flexible electronics.
Keywords:
catalyst
chemical recyclability
lactones
liquid metals
polyester
sustainable flexible electronics

Journal

Advanced Functional Materials cover
Advanced Functional Materials
IF:
19
Papers:
3.4W
Citations:
32.1W

Organization

Q
qingdao university of science and technology
Scholars:
4.0K
Papers: 1.2K
Citations: 1
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