Polymer Degradation and Stability最新文献

{"title":"The impact of heat and humidity on unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride)","authors":"Marwa Saad ,&nbsp;Marek Bucki ,&nbsp;Sonia Bujok ,&nbsp;Dominika Pawcenis ,&nbsp;Tjaša Rijavec ,&nbsp;Karol Górecki ,&nbsp;Łukasz Bratasz ,&nbsp;Irena Kralj Cigić ,&nbsp;Matija Strlič ,&nbsp;Krzysztof Kruczała","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The thermal degradation at 60 °C and 80 °C of unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, was comprehensively investigated through the application of numerous spectroscopic techniques, as well as contact angle measurements (CA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). To study the effect of relative humidity (RH) on the deterioration of unplasticized PVC, two regimes of accelerated degradation experiments were selected: low RH (max. 20 % RH) and high RH = 60 %, which corresponds to usually the highest RH in heritage institutions equipped with an HVAC system. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis revealed no substantial alterations in the material during its degradation for up to 20 weeks. This finding suggests that no significant branching or crosslinking occurred, which was confirmed by SEC measurements. Notable changes were observed in the Raman and UV–Vis spectra, indicative of the formation of conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds through dehydrochlorination. The formation of polyenes was responsible for the yellowing of samples, characterized with a CIELab color analyzer. Notwithstanding, the aforementioned changes did not lead to a notable decline in the mechanical properties, as evidenced by DMA measurements. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy demonstrated the formation of stable radicals even at 60 °C, and in the sample degraded at 80 °C the presence of radicals was evident. This indicates that a radical degradation mechanism cannot be excluded even at such low temperatures, prevailing at higher relative humidity values. A summary of employed methods was prepared as a guideline for heritage scientists, considering the invasiveness and destructiveness of the techniques and their outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 111334"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physical properties and chemical structure evolution mechanism of AMPS-based copolymer oil well cement retarder in ultra-high temperature alkaline solution environment","authors":"Hang Zhang ,&nbsp;Xinyang Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiujian Xia ,&nbsp;Miaomiao Hu ,&nbsp;Xinyu Ma ,&nbsp;Yujie Ying ,&nbsp;Pengpeng Li ,&nbsp;Jie Cao ,&nbsp;Yun Cheng ,&nbsp;Jintang Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111333","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111333","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) based copolymer retarder is one of the most commonly used oil well cement additives in cementing engineering. However, its performance decline caused by the thermal degradation behavior in ultra-high temperature (UHT) environment is particularly prominent, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In view of this issue, the physical properties and chemical structure evolution mechanism of two kinds of representative oil well cement copolymer retarder, namely the anionic binary copolymer PAI [AMPS-co-itaconic acid (IA)] and the heterocyclic zwitterionic quaternary copolymer PAINM [AMPS-co-IA-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP)-co-methacrylamido propyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC)], were comparatively investigated in UHT alkaline solution environment, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the optimization design strategy of improving the UHT efficiency of retarder in future research. The results indicated that copolymer retarders had significant thermal degradation behavior in UHT alkaline solution environment (<em>T</em> ≥ 200 °C, pH≈13), which was manifested in the decrease of apparent viscosity and viscosity-average molecular weight, the change of pH value, the variation of side groups and the pyrolysis of main chain (producing unsaturated alkenes). Both the hydrolysis of amide bond and the decarboxylation reaction in the copolymer side chains would lead to the configuration transformation of carboxyl from di-carboxyl to mono-carboxyl, and the thermal degradation behavior made the main chain configuration of the aged product severely deviate from the initial structure. The above two factors were the main reasons for the retarding efficiency reduction of copolymers at UHT. Furthermore, the introduction of rigid cyclic and cationic side groups could slightly delay the main chain rupture and the decarboxylation process, but was unable to reverse the thermal degradation progress of the copolymer retarder.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 111333"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Volatile compounds characterization of microalgae biomass (Chlorella sp. HS2) at high processing temperatures for application to an eco-friendly polymer composite","authors":"Young-Gu Kim ,&nbsp;Joung Sook Hong ,&nbsp;Hsiang-Yu Wang ,&nbsp;Kyung Hyun Ahn","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111330","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111330","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, we investigate the volatile organic compounds release characteristics of microalgae (<em>Chlorella</em> sp. HS2) in relation to temperature in an effort to realize an alternative type of biomass for use in the fabrication of eco-friendly polymer composites. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during the compounding process of the polymer composite is quantified and the VOC generation pathways are discussed. As the microalgae are heated and their content in the composites increases, the intensity of the VOC release increases. At a high temperature of 180 °C, a typical polymer processing temperature, microalgae release volatile substances. The VOCs are identified as compounds containing ketone functional groups and benzene derivatives through chromatography and spectrometry analyses. VOCs with ketone functional group can originate from small fatty acids by a complex reaction pathway that includes hydrolysis, oxidation, and degradation, while benzene derivatives are from aromatic amino acids, such as Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, and Tryptophan, contained in the microalgae. The findings demonstrate that microalgae biomass particles produce VOCs during polymer processing, which must be considered during the fabrication and eventual commercialization of polymer composites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 111330"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pressure steam ageing of silica filled silicone rubber : Degradation mechanisms","authors":"Manar Ramram ,&nbsp;Lénaïk Belec ,&nbsp;Jean-François Chailan ,&nbsp;François Perseil Rouillard ,&nbsp;François-Xavier Perrin","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111332","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111332","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Silica filled silicone rubber compound was hydrothermally aged under a complex condition consisting of a succession of vacuum phases at 80 °C and exposure to pressure steam at 134 °C. The results from various physico-chemical analysis techniques indicate that hydrothermal ageing has significantly affected both the polymer network and the polymer-filler interfaces, allowing the identification of the primary degradation mechanisms. Solvent swelling and solid ²⁹Si CP-MAS NMR analysis evinced that hydrolytic scission reactions predominate in the early stages of ageing and are compensated by recombination reactions for the subsequent cycles.</div><div>The volatilization of cyclic oligomers, resulting from the backbiting reaction, led to polymer loss and an associated increase in silica content within the silicone rubber compound, as confirmed by FTIR and TGA analyses. Significant changes occurred at the polymer-filler interfaces during the first few hundred cycles, including the formation of covalent bonds at the silica surface, replacing the physical interactions. These findings were further supported by solid-state ²⁹Si CP-MAS NMR analysis and ammonia-modified swelling experiments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 111332"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Room-temperature processed epoxy-silica nanocomposite coating for improved hardness and UV protection of polycarbonate","authors":"Yasuhide Nakai ,&nbsp;Yoko Teruuchi ,&nbsp;Minoru Takeuchi ,&nbsp;Asahiro Nagatani ,&nbsp;Akihiro Oishi ,&nbsp;Hideaki Hagihara ,&nbsp;Ryota Watanabe","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111329","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111329","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A nanocomposite coating consisting of epoxy resin and silica nanoparticles was developed using a simple <em>in situ</em> sol–gel process that operates efficiently near room temperature. This coating, which strongly adheres to polycarbonate (PC), doubles the hardness of PC while maintaining its transparency. Solid-state NMR confirmed the formation of a silica network through the hydrolysis and condensation of tetramethoxysilane and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as silicon source. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a uniform dispersion of 20 nm silica nanoparticles. The APTES molecules function as cross-linkers, strengthening the matrix–filler adhesion and contributing to the reinforcement of the coating. Furthermore, the coating effectively suppressed yellowing of PC during 24 days of UV irradiation. The two-trace two-dimensional correlation mapping technique based on Fourier transform infrared microscopy showed reduced photodegradation at both the surface and deeper layers of the PC. This energy-efficient and scalable technique is promising for industrial applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 111329"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of different structured epoxy-type reactive rejuvenators on recycling performance and repair mechanism of the aged styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen","authors":"Qingyuan Ma ,&nbsp;Hongwei He ,&nbsp;Wenwen Yu ,&nbsp;Jianjun Xu ,&nbsp;Quanxin Xu ,&nbsp;Jiaqi Xue ,&nbsp;Yushi Jin ,&nbsp;Rong Zhu ,&nbsp;Chen Han ,&nbsp;Bo Wang ,&nbsp;Chen Cui ,&nbsp;Jie Ma ,&nbsp;Fuyong Liu ,&nbsp;Heng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111331","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111331","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen (SMB) has gained worldwide popularity due to its exceptional performance. However, the waste SMB generated by its maintenance and resurfacing urgently needs to be rejuvenated with good performance for the prolonged service life of asphalt roads. In this study, the epoxy-type reactive rejuvenators, trimethylmethylpropane triglycidyl ether (TMPTE) and polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE), combined with vegetable oil (VO) were employed to reconstruct the aged SBS modified bitumen. Mild-moderate thermo-oxidative aging and pressure aging methods were applied, and regeneration experiments were conducted subsequently. FTIR indicates the occurrence of the SBS repair reaction or/and epoxy homo-polymerization. GPC demonstrates the restoration of characteristic peaks for both SBS and bitumen in aged SMB after the regeneration, while FM images show a reconstructed network structure of SBS. From a macroscopic perspective, the regeneration of aged SMB was assessed from four aspects, i.e. high/low temperature performance, elasticity and stiffness. It is found that the PEGDGE regenerated SMB exhibits the best high-temperature performance in the thermo-oxidative aging system, while the TMPTE regenerated SMB demonstrates the best high-temperature performance in the pressure aging system. And TMPTE regenerated SMB exhibits the best low temperature performance and elasticity in the thermo-oxidative aging system, and PEGDGE regenerated SMB exhibits the excellent low temperature performance and recovery performance in the pressure aging system. Meanwhile, in the thermo-oxidative aging system, PEGDGE regenerated SMB demonstrates superior deformation resistance. In the pressure-aging system, TMPTE regenerated SMB exhibits exceptional deformation resistance. The mechanism for the varying regeneration effects of different aging methods and regeneration systems were analyzed, suggesting a possible correlation with the molecular structures (e.g. functionality, chain flexibility) of the epoxy-type reactive rejuvenators. This study offers a theoretical guidance for regenerating aged SMB pavements with varying degrees of aging and a reference for selection or synthesis of reactive rejuvenators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 111331"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zinc oxide nanoparticles and sage (Salvia officinalis) essential oil as active components of alginate films for food packaging","authors":"Jolanta Kowalonek ,&nbsp;Natalia Stachowiak‒Trojanowska ,&nbsp;Zuzanna Cieciurska ,&nbsp;Agnieszka Richert","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111328","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111328","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antioxidant and antibacterial packaging based on natural polymers have been the subject of interest in recent years. Such functional materials aim to prolong food's shelf life and reduce food waste. Therefore, alginate films enriched with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and sage essential oil (SEO) were obtained. ZnONPs were produced by means of green synthesis using tansy (<em>Tanacetum vulgare</em>) extract. XRD and SEM results proved the formation of inorganic nanoparticles, whose sizes were about 16 nm and shape was oval. The structure, mechanical properties, moisture content, water vapor transmission rate, and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the biopolymeric films with ZnONPs and/or SEO were investigated. ATR-FTIR spectra showed a lack of interactions between polymeric film components. SEM images exhibited uniform distribution of ZnONPs in the alginate film, while SEO formed an emulsion with this biopolymer. Alginate film with both additives exhibited higher values of tensile strength (7.76 ± 0.75 MPa) and elongation at the break (64.98 ± 2.27 %), lower moisture content (19.61 ± 0.20 %), better barrier properties (257.50 ± 4 g•m^‒2•day^‒1), and enhanced antioxidant (91.64 ± 3.62 μmol Trolox/100 <em>g</em>) and antibacterial properties compared to alginate films with ZnONPs or SEO separately. Combining ZnONPs and SEO was advantageous due to the meaningful synergistic effect, which is especially pronounced in the enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial features. Such properties are highly needed in the case of active food packaging. Improved properties of the modified alginate film made it suitable for packing applications for fruits and vegetables.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 111328"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143654882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of biodegradable microparticle release and environmental accumulation in Poly(butylene succinate) degradation under UV and non-UV aging conditions","authors":"Peng Cui ,&nbsp;Jiamin Wang ,&nbsp;Lu Mao ,&nbsp;Yuan Gao ,&nbsp;Shuang Li ,&nbsp;Yan Liu ,&nbsp;Haimei Mao ,&nbsp;Munan Qiu ,&nbsp;Wenqi Zou ,&nbsp;Xia Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the release behavior of biodegradable microparticles and their environmental accumulation during the degradation of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) through enzymatic hydrolysis and UV aging. By employing laser diffraction and image counting techniques, we monitored the real-time release of biodegradable microparticles during PBS degradation. The findings reveal that during enzymatic degradation, non-UV-aged PBS releases a significant number of microparticles, peaking at 4569 particles per 50 µL on the fifth day, with 97% of these particles subsequently degraded. In contrast, UV-aged PBS shows a markedly slower degradation rate. For samples pretreated with UV for 30 days, the number of released microparticles peaks at 1856 particles per 50 µL, and even after the complete disintegration of the primary material, approximately 52% of these microparticles remain undegraded. UV aging initially accelerated surface degradation due to photochemical reactions but ultimately reduced overall degradation efficiency by inducing crosslinking, resulting in persistent microparticle accumulation. Analytical techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹HNMR ), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze structural changes and degradation products, revealing surface chemical transformations and their impact on microparticle release. This research underscores the importance of comprehensive environmental assessments of biodegradable plastics, particularly focusing on the dynamic release of microparticles during degradation. The findings provide a critical scientific basis for developing safer biodegradable materials and contribute to effectively addressing plastic pollution issues.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 111323"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing α- and β-glucan esters’ material selection through machine learning: An empirical study","authors":"Misuzu Kumagai ,&nbsp;Taizo Kabe ,&nbsp;Kiichi Obuchi ,&nbsp;Kiyohiko Toyama ,&nbsp;Tadahisa Iwata ,&nbsp;Shukichi Tanaka ,&nbsp;Daniel Oñoro-Rubio","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polysaccharide esters, with their potential as biomass plastics, represent sustainable alternatives to oil-based plastics. This study contributes to the optimization of material design by demonstrating that Materials Informatics (MI), combined with machine learning, can be effectively utilized to predict and enhance the properties of polysaccharide esters. The research methodology involved generating Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System (SMILES) representations for polysaccharide esters, creating a novel dataset from scratch. By employing fourteen distinct machine learning models, the research successfully constructed a Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) model that accurately predicts <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>g</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> and Elongation at Break of the given esters. Additionally, the study applied multiobjective optimization to these models, optimizing for both <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>g</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> and Elongation at Break. This approach enables the efficient achievement of new material properties by significantly reducing the number of required experiments. The practical application of these models was further validated through laboratory experiments involving the synthesis and testing of proposed polysaccharide ester structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 111293"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pyrolysis mechanism of spent LIBs separator and catalytic effect of metal foils: Insights from combined experimental and DFT studies","authors":"Ran Tao ,&nbsp;Yufeng Wu ,&nbsp;Lijuan Zhao ,&nbsp;Bin Li ,&nbsp;Haoran Yuan ,&nbsp;Jing Gu ,&nbsp;Yong Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111326","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111326","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid development of new energy technologies has facilitated the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, but has also led to a significant increase in the generation of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Extensive research has been conducted on the recycling of spent LIBs with most studies focusing on the recovery of the anode and cathode materials, electrolytes, and current collectors. Research on the recycling of battery separators remains limited. Pyrolysis technology has been shown to enable the efficient recovery of organic components and has already been applied in the recycling of spent LIB separators. However, existing studies reveal that the mechanisms underlying separator pyrolysis are not well understood, and the role of endogenous metals (Cu and Al foil) in the pyrolysis process remains unclear. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been extensively employed in mechanistic investigations of organic compound pyrolysis and metal-catalyzed reactions. In this context, the commonly used polypropylene (PP) separator was selected as the subject of this study. Various thermal analysis devices and kinetic methods were employed to investigate the pyrolysis characteristics, pyrolysis kinetics, distribution of pyrolysis products, and the influence of metal foils on the pyrolysis process of PP separators. Through DFT calculations and wave function analysis, the pyrolysis mechanism of PP separators and the catalytic role of metal foils in the PP pyrolysis process were elucidated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":406,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Degradation and Stability","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 111326"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143654880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}