Upcycling of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites

An upcycling method of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) was proposed to solve environmental pollution caused by waste CFRP. Novel graphene supported on alumina fiber porous material (GPM) was prepared, which could generate plasma under microwave irradiation in a nitrogen atmosphere. This plasma could generate a high temperature that not only pyrolyzed the thermosetting polymer in CFRP into combustible gas but also improved the graphitization degree of recycled carbon fiber (CF) beyond that of the virgin CF. This upcycling method obtained T300 short-cut carbon fiber (SCF) without additional surface treatment has better properties than commercial T700 SCF when prepared composite. An upcycling method of waste CFRP that can convert the waste CFRP into combustible gases and carbon fibers of improved graphitization degree by high-temperature microwave pyrolysis. This upcycling method obtained T300 short-cut carbon fiber without surface treatment has better properties than commercial T700 short-cut carbon fiber when prepared composite. [Display omitted] •An upcycling method of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).•Novel graphene porous material could generate plasma under microwave irradiation in a nitrogen atmosphere.•The graphitization degree of recycled carbon fiber was improved than virgin carbon fiber.•The thermosetting polymer in CFRP was mainly pyrolyzed into H2 and CO.