Reprocessable and chemically recyclable polythiourethane: sequential ring opening polymerization and condensation strategies bring excellent mechanical properties

Research Overview

The study by Kunlun Yuan, Yufei Kan, and Yong Shen titled “Reprocessable and chemically recyclable polythioureas with excellent mechanical properties prepared via a sequential ring opening polymerization and condensation strategy” was published in Volume 255 of Polymer Degradation and Stability (January 2027). This work focuses on sulfur-containing polyurethane materials such as polythiourethane. Through a combination strategy of sequential ring opening polymerization and condensation, the material is made to have both reprocessing and chemical recyclability, while maintaining excellent mechanical properties.

Key facts and data

• Material system: polythioureas, belonging to sulfur-containing urethane polymers.

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• Preparation strategy: A sequential process route of ring opening polymerization followed by condensation polymerization.

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• Performance positioning: The research emphasizes that the material has excellent mechanical properties and has the ability for reprocessing and chemical recycling.

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• Published information: Polymer Degradation and Stability, Volume 255, January 2027; The authors are Kunlun Yuan, Yufei Kan, and Yong Shen.

It should be noted that the source text only provides the title, journal issue, and author information, and does not provide specific mechanical values, recovery efficiency, or stability testing conditions. Therefore, this article does not make inferences about relevant data.

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Significance for the polymer additive industry

From the perspective of polymer agingand stabilization technology, polymer systems that can be reprocessed and chemically recycled are changing the design prerequisites for stabilization formulas.

. Traditional thermoplastic or thermosetting materials undergo thermal oxidative degradation and mechanical property degradation during multiple processing, while reprocessed polythiourethane requires a balance between processing stability and long-term weather resistance to maintain performance during closed-loop recycling and reshaping processes. The sulfur-containing structure itself may participate in complex redox processes under thermal and oxidative conditions, which makes the selection of antioxidant systems more targeted: it is necessary to suppress thermal and oxidative degradation during processing while avoiding adverse interactions with sulfur-containing segments. In outdoor or lighting applications, the combination of HALS (hindered amine light stabilizer) and UVA (ultraviolet absorber) is still a common method to improve weather resistance. For chemically recyclable systems, the fate and residual behavior of additives under depolymerization or reprocessing conditions should also be considered to avoid stabilizers becoming a source of fluctuations in the performance of recycled materials. Single additives often struggle to balance processing stability, long-term weather resistance, and recyclability. Therefore, the design concept of complex systems has attracted more attention: by synergistically combining antioxidants and light stabilizers, the mechanical properties of materials can be maintained while delaying aging. Although this study did not directly involve the formulation of additives, its material design goal of “reprocessing+chemical recyclability+excellent mechanical properties” has proposed a new evaluation dimension for polymer stabilization technology: the stabilization scheme should not only serve the first service life, but also adapt to the cyclic life cycle of the material. For additive companies, this means that it is necessary to carry out compound verification of processing stability and weather resistance stability for sulfur-containing and recyclable polyurethane systems, and pay attention to the degradation behavior and detection characterization methods of recycled materials under multiple thermal histories.

Source: Polymer Degradation and Stability, Volume 255, January 2027; Authors Kunlun Yuan, Yufei Kan, Yong Shen. The original text did not provide specific mechanical and stability data.

Information source:Reprocessable and chemically recyclable polythiourethanes with excellent mechanical properties prepared via a sequential ring-opening polymerization and polycondensation strategy， Organized by Herun Chemical.