Wiley Series in Microwave and Optical Engineering

With the growth of the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) in various fields, the recovery of carbon fibers from CFRP waste is becoming a significant research direction. In the present work, degrading epoxy resin and recycling carbon fibers from CFRP waste by microwave thermolysis and traditional thermolysis were studied. The carbon fibers were successfully recovered by thermolysis under an oxygen atmosphere in this study. The properties of the recovered carbon fibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The result shows that using microwave thermolysis to recover carbon fibers from CFRP waste is an attractive prospect. Compared to the traditional method, the reaction time was reduced by 56.67%, and the recovery ratio was increased by 15%. Microwave thermolysis is faster, more efficient, requires less energy, and obtains cleaner recovered carbon fibers than those recovered using traditional thermolysis.

Recycling of Carbon Fibers from CFRP Waste by Microwave Thermolysis

Controlled release of amoxicillin and antioxidant potential of gold nanoparticles-xanthan gum/poly (Acrylic acid) biodegradable nanocomposite

Search for novel energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and time-saving manufacturing techniques has gained momentum in the recent times. Polymer composites have been increasingly adapted for variety of industrial applications, however, their efficient processing remains challenging. Microwave curing technique has been employed to process thermoset-based composites since 1980, however, processing of thermoplastic-based composites with natural-fibers as reinforcement, calls for additional data and hence investigations. The current work presents an overview of the basics of microwave heating and the physics behind the microwave processing of polymer composites. A state-of-the-art on microwave processing of thermoset and thermoplastic-based composites and developments in microwave joining has been reviewed. The major constraints in adopting microwave technology for curing composites at the industry scale are highlighted. The article also highlights the challenges during microwave processing of sustainable thermoplastic-based polymer composites. Future scope of work to 3D print the polymer matrix composite parts, through microwave scanning route has been indicated. 

Nanya Li

Papers

Microwave curing of multidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites