JP2012211223A - Method for recovering glass fiber from fiber-reinforced plastic - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an efficient method for recovering glass fiber almost completely from fiber-reinforced plastic at low cost.SOLUTION: The method for recovering glass fiber from fiber-reinforced plastic is characterized in that the fiber-reinforced plastic formed of glass fiber and a polymer covering the glass fiber is brought into contact with semiconductive power at a temperature of 350-500°C in the presence of oxygen to thereby remove the polymer by oxidation decomposition, thus recovering the glass fiber.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for recovering glass fibers from fiber reinforced plastics (FRP).

  Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) products are composed of composite materials with a fibrous reinforcement covered with a thermosetting polymer matrix. The fiber reinforcement is typically glass fiber, but may be aramid (Kevlar) fiber or carbon fiber. The thermosetting polymer matrix is used as a liquid resin and is cured by a chemical reaction that crosslinks resin molecules. Fiber reinforced plastics have not only corrosion resistance and weather resistance, but also high mechanical strength, light weight, easy attachment, good durability, and properties that can be applied as needed under individual circumstances. Therefore, fiber reinforced plastics are widely used in the field of construction.

  However, these characteristics, in turn, cause serious problems in waste disposal and recycling of fiber reinforced plastics. The recycling problem is mainly due to the fact that the curing reaction is irreversible and, like a thermoplastic, the cured solid plastic does not return to its original liquid state upon heating. Also, unlike thermoplastics, fiber reinforced plastic scrap cannot be melted and reshaped as is often done in plastic recycling.

  In recent years, waste disposal of fiber reinforced plastics is mainly landfill. On the other hand, an alternative method using glass fiber as a cement kiln fuel is also used in part. In this case, the glass fiber contributes to the energy required to produce Portland cement while supplying silica as a raw material. At the same time, a method for chemically dissolving or decomposing glass fibers has been studied (Non-patent Document 1). Furthermore, as another technique in recent years, there is auxiliary use of a supercritical fluid for polymer decomposition (Non-Patent Document 2).

T. Iwata, S. tokuno, M. Sasaki, M. Goto, and K. Shibata: Recycling of fiber reinforced plastics using depolymerization by solvothermo reaction with catalyst, J. Mater. Sci. 43 (2008) 2452-2456. M. Goto: Chemical recycling of plastics using sub- and supercritical fluids, J. Supercritical Fluids, 47 (2009) 500-507.

  However, the method described in Non-Patent Document 1 requires a granulation treatment to shorten the fiber, and it cannot be said that the production efficiency is good, and a lot of solvents that may be toxic are used. ing. Further, the method described in Non-Patent Document 2 requires a large amount of capital and is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the method of collect | recovering glass fiber almost completely from a fiber reinforced plastic with favorable efficiency and cost.

  The present inventor has already researched and developed a polymer decomposition method using a semiconductor (Japanese Patent No. 4517146). In this technique, not only a thermoplastic polymer but also a thermosetting polymer (three-dimensional polymer) is completely decomposed into carbon dioxide gas and water using the thermal activity of a semiconductor. In the present invention, it has been found that the glass fiber from the fiber reinforced plastic can be almost completely recovered by applying the above technique.

  The present invention completed on the basis of the above knowledge is made by bringing a fiber reinforced plastic comprising glass fiber and a polymer provided so as to cover the glass fiber into contact with semiconductor powder at 100 ° C. or higher in the presence of oxygen. The glass fiber is recovered by oxidizing and removing the polymer to recover the glass fiber from the fiber reinforced plastic.

  In one embodiment, the glass fiber recovery method according to the present invention uses hole oxidizing power among thermal equilibrium carriers generated in a high temperature state of a semiconductor.

  In another embodiment of the glass fiber recovery method according to the present invention, the temperature at which the fiber reinforced plastic is brought into contact with the semiconductor powder is 100 to 600 ° C.

  In another embodiment of the glass fiber recovery method according to the present invention, the semiconductor is a semiconductor that exists stably even in a high temperature state and in an oxygen atmosphere.

  In still another embodiment of the glass fiber recovery method according to the present invention, the semiconductor is an oxide semiconductor.

In still another embodiment of the glass fiber recovery method according to the present invention, the oxide semiconductor is Cr ₂ O ₃ , NiO, TiO ₂ , or Fe ₂ O ₃ .

  In still another embodiment of the glass fiber recovery method according to the present invention, the polymer is a thermosetting polymer.

  In still another embodiment of the glass fiber recovery method according to the present invention, the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the method of collect | recovering glass fiber almost completely from a fiber reinforced plastic with favorable efficiency and cost can be provided.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the decomposition | disassembly mechanism of a polycarbonate (PC). (A) is an external appearance photograph of the small piece of fiber reinforced plastic provided on the Cr ₂ O ₃ powder laid in the crucible according to the example. (B) is an appearance photograph showing a state when 10 minutes have elapsed after heating in the crucible. (A) is an external appearance photograph of the chopped strand mat-like glass fiber according to the example. (B) is an appearance photograph of the loosened (a). It is the cross-sectional schematic diagram of a plate, and the photograph by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the fiber of the upper part (top), the middle part (middle), and the bottom part (bottom) of the said schematic diagram.

(Method for recovering glass fiber from the fiber-reinforced plastic of the present invention)
In the present invention, a fiber reinforced plastic comprising glass fiber and a polymer provided so as to cover the glass fiber is brought into contact with semiconductor powder at 100 to 600 ° C. in the presence of oxygen to oxidatively decompose the polymer. The glass fiber is recovered by removing the glass fiber, and the glass fiber is recovered from the fiber reinforced plastic.

  The method for recovering glass fiber from the fiber reinforced plastic according to the present invention is achieved by removing the polymer by oxidative decomposition utilizing the thermal activity of the semiconductor. First, the mechanism of this oxidative decomposition will be described below with an example.

(Oxidative degradation mechanism of polymer in fiber-reinforced plastic of the present invention)
When a semiconductor is thermally excited, electrons and holes are generated exponentially. This hole is applied to oxidative decomposition of the polymer. As an example, FIG. 1 shows a schematic explanatory diagram of the decomposition mechanism of polycarbonate (PC). The decomposition of the polycarbonate shown in FIG. 1 is performed by using titanium oxide powder as a semiconductor, adding this to a granular polycarbonate, and stirring with heating. Polycarbonate melts at about 200 ° C. and forms a “solid / liquid” interface with solid titanium oxide. When the state at the interface is seen in the illustration of FIG. 1, first, the bound electrons are taken from the polycarbonate from the holes, and a cation radical is generated in the polycarbonate. At a temperature of 500 ° C., radicals propagate through the polymer, inducing radical cleavage and the polymer is fragmented. The growth of radicals and the decrease in the molecular weight of polycarbonate during this process have been demonstrated by ESR measurement and thermogravimetric analysis. The fragmented molecules are completely burned under oxygen to become water and carbon dioxide. The role of thermal energy is not only to generate a large amount of holes, but also to induce the propagation and cleavage of radicals and ultimately burn the chopped molecules completely under oxygen. Further, in order for the decomposition reaction to occur continuously, it is necessary that an oxidation reaction by holes occurs in the valence band, and a reduction reaction by electrons (O ₂ + e ⁻ → O ₂ ⁻ ) occurs in the conduction band.

  The flow of decomposition mechanism of the polycarbonate is summarized as follows. First, in the first stage, the polycarbonate chain is adsorbed on the titanium oxide surface by electrostatic interaction between the highly polar carbonyl group in the molecule and the oxygen defect site of titanium oxide. To do. Next, in the second stage, the polycarbonate is oxidized by holes generated by thermal excitation, and the molecular weight of the polycarbonate is reduced. Next, in the third stage, the low molecular weight polycarbonate is completely burned under oxygen and decomposed into carbon dioxide and water.

  Regarding the transfer of electrons on the surface of titanium oxide, the thermally excited electrons reduce oxygen, which is adsorbed on the surface of titanium oxide and induces upward band bending (curving of the band). By this band bending, the thermally excited holes accumulate on the surface and oxidize the PC. This reaction is an activation process because the energy level of redox by electrons is located about 0.13 eV above the bottom of the conduction band of titanium oxide. However, this reaction is considered to be sufficiently achieved at 350 ° C. In contrast, the movement of holes to the surface is a barrier-free process. Thus, it is considered that reaction occurs at the oxidation site (conduction band) and reduction site (valence band) on the surface of titanium oxide, and PC is decomposed.

  In a system in which titanium oxide is thermally excited to generate electrons and holes by interband transition, the bandgap of titanium oxide is as large as 3.2 eV, so the temperature at which the interband transition rises is high. I need. However, not only titanium oxide, but any semiconductor can be used as long as it is stable in a high temperature and oxygen atmosphere. Therefore, an operating temperature is basically low for a semiconductor having a small band gap. For this reason, the suitable heating temperature is larger and may be 100 ° C. or higher.

(Type of polymer in the fiber-reinforced plastic of the present invention)
Of the organic compounds decomposed in the present invention, the polymer preferably has a polar group represented by a carbonyl group that strongly adsorbs to the surface of the metal oxide. Also has a sufficient effect. The melting point of the polymer is preferably 400 ° C. or lower. Such polymers are thermoplastic resins such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, PET resin, ABS resin, polyamide, polyimide, methacrylic resin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacetal, petroleum resin, AS resin, modified polyphenylene ether. And vinylidene chloride resin, polybutylene terephthalate, polybutene, fluororesin, polyacrylate and the like. These organic compounds come into contact with the semiconductor in the molten state. Although the decomposition temperature is higher than that of thermoplastic resin, it is also effective for thermosetting resins such as phenol resin, urethane foam, polyurethane, urea resin, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, melamine resin, and alkyd resin. is there. As a method for decomposing the thermosetting polymer, usually, the polymer is finely pulverized, mixed with titanium oxide and heated. In addition, although the combustion process of a normal thermosetting polymer is performed by heating to 700-1000 degreeC, it has been pointed out that the problem arises in durability of a combustion furnace. However, in the present invention, decomposition is possible by heating at 600 ° C. or less, and the effect is great. The method can also be applied to a mixture of various polymers described above. Furthermore, the present invention is also effective for the decomposition of halogen molecule-containing polymers such as polyvinyl chloride, and the products generated at that time are mainly composed of water, carbon dioxide gas and chlorine. It is necessary to collect. It should be noted that in the decomposition of such a halogen-containing polymer, no harmful organic halide such as dioxin is formed in the product.

(Semiconductor type)
As described above, titanium oxide has been described as a semiconductor. However, a semiconductor that can be used is a stable substance even in an oxygen atmosphere at a high temperature, for example, a substance represented by the following chemical formula. However, since the band gap of each semiconductor is different, the decomposition temperature of the organic compound changes accordingly.
BeO, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, CeO 2, ThO 2, UO 3, U 3 O 8, TiO 2, ZrO 2, V 2 0 5, Y 2 O 3, Y 2 O 2 S, Nb 2 O 5 , Ta ₂ O ₅ , MoO ₃ , WO ₃ , MnO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgFe ₂ O ₄ , NiFe ₂ O ₄ , ZnFe ₂ O ₄ , ZnCo ₂ O ₄ , ZnO, CdO, Al ₂ O ₃ , MgAl ₂ O ₄ , ZnAl ₂ O ₄ , Tl ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , PbO ₂ , UO ₂ , Cr ₂ O ₃ , MgCr ₂ O ₄ , FeCrO ₄ , CoCrO ₄ , ZnCr ₂ O _{4, WO 2, MnO, Mn} 3 O 4, Mn 2 O 3, FeO, NiO, CoO, Co 3 O 4, PdO, CuO, Cu 2 O, Ag 2 O, CoAl 2 O 4, NiAl 2 O 4, _{Tl 2 O, GeO, PbO,} TiO, Ti 2 O 3, VO, MoO 2, IrO 2 _{RuO 2, CdS, CdSe, CdTe} .

  Among them, an oxide semiconductor is preferable, and particularly titanium oxide and zinc oxide are high in activity and harmless, and thus excellent in safety.In particular, a titanium oxide crystal form having anatase type has high activity, A rutile type may be used. Among the above semiconductors, those showing photoconductivity are highly active. The semiconductor is activated when heat is applied, and has a function of oxidizing and decomposing a resin molded product. The particle size is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a surface reaction that has a large specific surface area and high crystallinity.

  Since the gist of the present invention is the contact reaction between the semiconductor and the substance to be decomposed, increasing the ratio of the semiconductor increases the frequency of contact with the substance to be decomposed and shortens the processing time. In addition, since the contact frequency is remarkably increased by stirring, the time required for decomposition is greatly reduced. The amount of titanium oxide mixed in the batch process is appropriate to be 10% by mass or more of the total, but the decomposition reaction may be performed at a mixing ratio of 10% by mass or less (eg 3%) (although the processing time will be longer). It goes without saying that it is possible.

  In some cases, titanium oxide may be pretreated. Preferably, polycarbonate is dissolved in toluene, titanium oxide is added and stirred, and the polycarbonate is adhered to the surface of titanium oxide with a toluene solvent. . As a good solvent for pretreatment, toluene is preferable, but acetone, chloronaphthalene, and the like can be given.

  The optimum concentration of the polymer preparation liquid when coating the polymer on titanium oxide varies depending on the polymer and is not particularly limited, but generally a concentration of about 0.1 to 30% is suitable, and when polycarbonate is used for the polymer In particular, 3 to 5% is preferable.

  In the method for recovering glass fiber from the fiber reinforced plastic of the present invention, since the polymer is almost completely burned and removed by the above-described configuration, the glass fiber can be recovered in a good state while suppressing damage to the glass fiber. As a result, it is possible to completely recover and recycle the effective Glyce fiber. Moreover, reaction heat can be utilized as thermal energy, and production efficiency is improved. Further, since glass fiber can be recovered from the fiber reinforced plastic with a very simple apparatus and method, the production efficiency and the production cost are improved.

  Next, examples according to the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(Preparation of semiconductor)
As semiconductor powder, Cr ₂ O ₃ [purity 99%, surface area 3 m ² / g: manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.], TiO ₂ [ST-01: active TiO ² (surface area 298 m ² / g, anatase type): Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.], NiO [99% purity, surface area 1 m ² / g: Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.], α-Fe ₂ O ₃ [surface area 4.1 m ² / g: Toda Kogyo Co., Ltd.], unsaturated A thermosetting polyester resin [R100NP, derived from orthophthalic acid: manufactured by Japan Composite Co., Ltd.] was prepared.

(Adjustment of fiber reinforced plastic)
Fiber reinforced plastic plate (70% by mass resin and 30% by mass glass fiber) using glass fiber (chopped stradomat) having a diameter of about 13 μm, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as an initiator and cobalt naphthenate as an accelerator. 100 × 100 × 3 mm) was adjusted at room temperature. The plate was then cured at 80 ° C. for 3 hours. This plate was cut into small pieces having a size of about 10 × 10 × 3 mm and used for the following tests without pretreatment such as pulverization.

(Glass fiber recovery by thermal activation of semiconductors)
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), 5 g of Cr ₂ O ₃ powder was laid in a crucible having a ceramic 50 mm diameter opening, and a small piece of fiber reinforced plastic was placed on the Cr ₂ O ₃ powder. Next, the crucible was placed in an oven at 500 ° C. After 5 minutes, the color of the small piece changed from yellow to brown, and it started to decompose into water and carbon dioxide while leaving the glass fiber (begin disappearing from view). After 10 minutes, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the first form of glass fiber covered with polymer (chopped strado mat shape) appeared. 3 (a) and 3 (b) show appearance photographs of chopped stradomat-like glass fibers and loosened ones. In FIG. 4, the cross-sectional schematic diagram of a plate and the photograph by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the fiber of the upper part (top), middle part (bottom), and bottom part (bottom) of the said schematic diagram are shown. The surface of each part of the fiber was very smooth, and no damage such as cracks was found. This indicates that the glass fiber was completely recovered without defects. As described above, it was confirmed that problems such as damage and shrinkage of the fiber surface, which were caused by the conventional glass fiber recycling method, do not occur according to the present invention.

Subsequently, a test similar to the above test performed using Cr ₂ O ₃ powder was also performed on TiO ₂ powder, NiO powder and α-Fe ₂ O ₃ powder. Got.

Furthermore, when Cr ₂ O ₃ powder, TiO ₂ powder, NiO powder and α-Fe ₂ O ₃ powder were tested at 350 ° C. instead of 500 ° C., the time taken for decomposition was Although it increased a little, the result similar to the said test was obtained.

Claims (8)

  A fiber reinforced plastic comprising glass fiber and a polymer provided to cover the glass fiber is contacted with semiconductor powder at 100 ° C. or higher in the presence of oxygen, and the polymer is removed by oxidative decomposition. A method for recovering glass fiber from fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein the glass fiber is recovered.   The method for recovering glass fibers according to claim 1, wherein hole oxidation power is used among thermal equilibrium carriers generated in a high temperature state of a semiconductor.   The glass fiber recovery method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a temperature at which the fiber reinforced plastic is brought into contact with the semiconductor powder is 100 to 600 ° C.   The glass fiber recovery method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the semiconductor is a semiconductor that exists stably even in a high temperature state and an oxygen atmosphere.   The glass fiber recovery method according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor is an oxide semiconductor. The glass fiber recovery method according to claim 5, wherein the oxide semiconductor is Cr ₂ O ₃ , NiO, TiO ₂ , or Fe ₂ O ₃ .   The glass fiber recovery method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is a thermosetting polymer.   The glass fiber recovery method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.