Novel polymers are depolymerizable by metathesis of a cleavable unit. As an example, a series of linear and crosslinked polyurethanes were prepared that can be selectively depolymerized under mild conditions. Two unique polyols were synthesized bearing unsaturated units in a configuration designed to favor ring-closing metathesis to five- and six-membered cycloalkenes. These polyols were co-polymerized with toluene diisocyanate to generate linear polyurethanes and trifunctional hexamethylene- and diphenylmethane-based isocyanates to generate crosslinked polyurethanes. The polyol design is such that the ring-closing metathesis reaction cleaves the backbone of the polymer chain. Upon exposure to dilute solutions of Grubbs' catalyst under ambient conditions, the polyurethanes were rapidly depolymerized to low molecular weight, soluble products bearing vinyl and cycloalkene functionalities. These functionalities enabled further re-polymerization by traditional strategies for polymerization of double bonds. This general approach can be expanded to develop a range of chemically recyclable condensation polymers that are readily depolymerized by orthogonal metathesis chemistry.

The present application provides a low-temperature process to reduce S—S and/or S—H bonds in organic compounds, including sulfur-cured elastomers, which for example, permits the de-crosslinking of the elastomer and recovery of organic polymers from inorganic constituents.

The disclosure relates to thermally reversibly crosslinked polyolefins (TRC-PO) and methods for making the same. A TRC-PO can be formed by reactive melt-processing a mixture including (i) a polyolefin, (ii) an initiator, and (iii) a reversible crosslinker. The reversible crosslinker includes (A) a grafting agent moiety selected from unsaturated cyclic anhydrides, unsaturated cyclic imides, cyclic nitroxides, and ring-opened analogs thereof, and (B) a crosslinking moiety bound to the cyclic grafting agent moiety. This reactive melt-processing, for example including reactive extrusion, forms a thermally reversibly crosslinked (TRC) polyolefin with polyolefin chains reversibly crosslinked via the reversible crosslinkers, which provide dynamic covalent bonds, such as siloxanes and esters, that are amenable to melt re-processing to re-from or otherwise re-use the TRC-PO while still retaining the reversible crosslinks after re-processing. Catalysts and additives such as rheology modifiers can be added to the melt-processing mixture.

The disclosure relates to thermally reversibly crosslinked polyolefins (TRC-PO) and methods for making the same. A TRC-PO can be formed by reactive melt-processing a mixture including (i) a polyolefin, (ii) an initiator, and (iii) a reversible crosslinker. The reversible crosslinker includes (A) a grafting agent moiety selected from unsaturated cyclic anhydrides, unsaturated cyclic imides, cyclic nitroxides, and ring-opened analogs thereof, and (B) a crosslinking moiety bound to the cyclic grafting agent moiety. This reactive melt-processing, for example including reactive extrusion, forms a thermally reversibly crosslinked (TRC) polyolefin with polyolefin chains reversibly crosslinked via the reversible crosslinkers, which provide dynamic covalent bonds, such as siloxanes and esters, that are amenable to melt re-processing to re-from or otherwise re-use the TRC-PO while still retaining the reversible crosslinks after re-processing. Catalysts and additives such as rheology modifiers can be added to the melt-processing mixture.

Provided is a process for the degradation of at least one polymer of an alkene carbonate, a polymeric composition for a lithium-ion battery electrode having a degradation residue obtained by this process, a process for the preparation thereof, an electrode and a battery incorporating it and a degradation process for the sintering of ceramics. The degradation process includes a reaction at 120° C. and 270° C., and under air of a primary amine with a poly(alkene carbonate) polyol, which depolymerizes it in order to obtain a non-polymeric degradation residue. This composition includes an active material, an electrically conductive filler, a polymeric binder and a residue from the degradation under air between 120° C. and 270° C. of a sacrificial phase which includes the polymer and which has been melt blended beforehand with the active material, with the filler and with the binder in order to obtain a precursor mixture of the composition.

Provided is a process for the degradation of at least one polymer of an alkene carbonate, a polymeric composition for a lithium-ion battery electrode having a degradation residue obtained by this process, a process for the preparation thereof, an electrode and a battery incorporating it and a degradation process for the sintering of ceramics. The degradation process includes a reaction at 120° C. and 270° C., and under air of a primary amine with a poly(alkene carbonate) polyol, which depolymerizes it in order to obtain a non-polymeric degradation residue. This composition includes an active material, an electrically conductive filler, a polymeric binder and a residue from the degradation under air between 120° C. and 270° C. of a sacrificial phase which includes the polymer and which has been melt blended beforehand with the active material, with the filler and with the binder in order to obtain a precursor mixture of the composition.

A polyethylene-polypropylene composition obtainable by blending a) 80 to 97 wt.-% of a blend (A) comprising A-1) polypropylene and A-2) polyethylene, wherein the ratio of polypropylene to polyethylene is from 3:7 to 13:7, and wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste; and b) 3 to 20 wt.-% of a compatibilizer (B) being a heterophasic random copolymer comprising a random polypropylene copolymer matrix phase and an elastomer phase dispersed therein, whereby the heterophasic random copolymer has—a xylene insolubles content (XCI) of from 65 to 88 wt.-% (ISO 16152, led, 25° C.), and—a xylene soluble content XCS of 12 to 35 wt.-% (ISO 16152, led, 25° C.), the XCS fraction having an intrinsic viscosity (measured in decalin according to DIN ISO 1628/1 at 135° C.) of 1.2 dl/g to less than 3.0 dl/g, and—a flexural modulus of from 300 to 600 MPa (ISO 178, measured on injection moulded specimens, 23° C.); whereby the ratio of MFR.sub.2 (blend (A))/MFR.sub.2 (compatibilizer (B)) (ISO1133, 2.16 kg load at 230° C.), is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5.

A polyethylene-polypropylene composition obtainable by blending a) 80 to 97 wt.-% of a blend (A) comprising A-1) polypropylene and A-2) polyethylene, wherein the ratio of polypropylene to polyethylene is from 3:7 to 13:7, and wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste; and b) 3 to 20 wt.-% of a compatibilizer (B) being a heterophasic random copolymer comprising a random polypropylene copolymer matrix phase and an elastomer phase dispersed therein, whereby the heterophasic random copolymer has—a xylene insolubles content (XCI) of from 65 to 88 wt.-% (ISO 16152, led, 25° C.), and—a xylene soluble content XCS of 12 to 35 wt.-% (ISO 16152, led, 25° C.), the XCS fraction having an intrinsic viscosity (measured in decalin according to DIN ISO 1628/1 at 135° C.) of 1.2 dl/g to less than 3.0 dl/g, and—a flexural modulus of from 300 to 600 MPa (ISO 178, measured on injection moulded specimens, 23° C.); whereby the ratio of MFR.sub.2 (blend (A))/MFR.sub.2 (compatibilizer (B)) (ISO1133, 2.16 kg load at 230° C.), is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.