Dynamic Circular Sulfur‐Rich Polymer Glasses From Elemental Sulfur
Abstract
ABSTRACT Elemental sulfur (S 8 ) is a commodity‐priced petroleum byproduct suitable for upcycling as a neat molten medium for sustainable polymer synthesis. Inverse vulcanization is an attractive approach for converting S 8 into sulfur‐rich plastics, yet scalable manufacturing remains challenging. The chemistry of molten sulfur is poorly understood, limiting progress using this unconventional medium. Herein, molten sulfur homogeneity is identified as a critical parameter for accessing sulfur‐rich (70–80 wt.%) polymer glasses, termed inverse vulcanized glass (IVG). Application of ultra‐high‐purity sulfur melts uncovers a hidden boundary condition governing sulfur plastic manufacturing, enabling fabrication of large IVG precision optics with high refractive index and landmark broadband transparency across the visible–infrared spectrum. The inclusion of S–S bonds afford covalent adaptable networks with rheology dominated by dynamic bond reorganization. IVG functions as an affordable, broadband Vis–IR optical glass whose damaged components can be melt‐reprocessed, providing a circular advantage over traditional inorganic optical materials.
Article Details
Authors (19)
Lindsey N. Holmen
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Kaitlyn P. Martin
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Sungsu Kim
Gyeong Yeon Bae
Department of Organic and Nano Engineering Hanyang University Seoul Republic of Korea
Satya D. Dulam
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Megan J. Hahn
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Cole A. Bellomo
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Elise N. Mackirdy
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Nolan R. Knapp
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Aiden M. Lindsay
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Kyung‐Jo Kim
Wyant College of Optical Sciences The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Shamil Saiev
Saied Md Pratik
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Wyatt Wallis
Wyant College of Optical Sciences The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Jon T. Njardarson
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Jean‐Luc Bredas
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA
Jeong Jae Wie
Department of Organic and Nano Engineering Hanyang University Seoul Republic of Korea
Robert A. Norwood
Wyant College of Optical Sciences The University of Arizona Tucson Arizona USA
Jeffrey Pyun
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA