Chemical decomposition of epoxy resin in near-critical water by an acid–base catalytic method

Chemical decomposition of an epoxy resin (E-51) cured with methyl tetrahydro phthalic anhydride (MeTHPA) in near-critical water conditions was investigated under different concentrations of acid–base catalyst. The optimal catalytic concentration of H₂SO₄ catalyst was 0.4 mol L⁻¹, while that of KOH catalyst ranged from 0.5 mol L⁻¹ to 1.0 mol L⁻¹. The decomposition ratio could reach nearly 100%.