Abstract: Described is a transparent polymer-based composite and a method for preparing a transparent polymer-based composite. The transparent polymer-based composite includes an activated polycarbonate and one or more nanoparticles grafted to the activated polycarbonate. The activated carbonate is formed via a transcarbonation reaction of a mixture of a carbonic acid species having terminal ester groups and a bisphenol-A with sodium hydroxide and ortho-dichlorobenzene. The transparent polymer-based composite may be used to replace the glass front-sheet of solar panels for photovoltaic applications.

Abstract: A doubly degradable polymer composition may include one or more aliphatic polyesters and one or more imine functional groups. The imine functional groups may be incorporated into the aliphatic polyester backbone. A method of preparing a doubly degradable polymer composition may include polymerizing one or more lactone monomers to form a polylactone polymer and reacting the polylactone polymer with a bis-imine compound to incorporate one or more imine functional groups into the polylactone polymer backbone. A method of degrading a doubly degradable polymer composition may include providing a doubly degradable polymer composition including one or more ester functional groups and one or more imine functional groups and exposing the doubly degradable polymer composition to at least one of water, an elevated temperature, and soil, thereby hydrolyzing at least one cleavable covalent bond to produce an aldehyde and an amine.

Abstract: Reprocessable materials are provided that include a product of cross-linking a glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene (HDPE-g-GMA) with a polymacrolactone of formula (II) to form a cross-linked polymer exhibiting vitrimer characteristics. Methods for preparing the cross-linked polymer materials include reacting the glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene of with the polymacrolactone in the presence of a first catalyst under conditions that initiate cross-linking of HDPE-g-GMA with the polymacrolactone. Mechanically reprocessable articles include a structural element that is or includes the cross-linked polymer material. Examples of the mechanically reprocessable articles include pallets or molded structures formed from the material and configured to support a load of at least 1000 kg without bending.

Abstract: Reprocessable materials are provided that include a product of cross-linking a glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene (HDPE-g-GMA) with a polymacrolactone of formula (II) to form a cross-linked polymer exhibiting vitrimer characteristics. Methods for preparing the cross-linked polymer materials include reacting the glycidyl methacrylate grafted high-density polyethylene of with the polymacrolactone in the presence of a first catalyst under conditions that initiate cross-linking of HDPE-g-GMA with the polymacrolactone. Mechanically reprocessable articles include a structural element that is or includes the cross-linked polymer material. Examples of the mechanically reprocessable articles include pallets or molded structures formed from the material and configured to support a load of at least 1000 kg without bending.