Polymers designed to degrade upon exposure to gamma rays

Structure

Source: © Zhen Hu/Harbin Institute of Technology

Phenyl imine conjugated N–N bonds mean materials are ready for recycling

Scientists in China have designed and developed a series of epoxy thermoset resins containing gamma ray-responsive bonds. The new polymers, which have mechanical and thermal properties comparable with those of commodity epoxy resins, degrade in a controlled manner on exposure to gamma irradiation.