Electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity chemicals and H2 fuel

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Aug. 17, 2021

Abstract Plastic wastes represent a largely untapped resource for manufacturing chemicals and fuels, particularly considering their environmental biological threats. Here we report electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic to valuable commodity (potassium diformate terephthalic acid) H 2 fuel. Preliminary techno-economic analysis suggests the profitability this process when ethylene glycol (EG) component PET is selectively electrooxidized formate (>80% selectivity) at high current density (>100 mA cm −2 ). A nickel-modified cobalt phosphide (CoNi 0.25 P) electrocatalyst developed achieve 500 1.8 V in membrane-electrode assembly reactor with >80% Faradaic efficiency selectivity formate. Detailed characterizations reveal in-situ evolution CoNi P catalyst into low-crystalline metal oxy(hydroxide) as an active state during EG oxidation, which might be responsible its advantageous performances. This work demonstrates sustainable way implement waste value-added products.

Language: Английский

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Rational Design of Chemical Catalysis for Plastic Recycling

ACS Catalysis, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(8), P. 4659 - 4679

Published: April 5, 2022

Plastics are indispensable, but their pollution is triggering a global environmental crisis. Although many end-of-life catalytic options have involved converting plastics into valuable products, deep understanding of the relationship between polymer structure and recycling performance significant urgently needed. Here, we start with primer polymeric chain structures on chemical discuss structure–performance polymer, catalyst, reaction. Specifically, development challenges re/upcycling waste PET polyolefins discussed in-depth. In addition, also present some prospects for innovations in catalyst synthesis reaction engineering basis relationship. The discussion ends brief perspective future plastic re/upcycling. Overall, intelligent catalysis design necessary incentivizing relieving burden plastics.

Language: Английский

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Plastic Waste Valorization by Leveraging Multidisciplinary Catalytic Technologies

ACS Catalysis, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(15), P. 9307 - 9324

Published: July 18, 2022

Plastic waste triggers a series of concerns because its disruptive impact on the environment and ecosystem. From point view catalysis, however, end-of-life plastics can be seen as an untapped feedstock for preparation value-added products. Thus, development diversified catalytic approaches valorization is urgent. Previous reviews this field have systematically summarized progress made plastic reclamation. In review, we emphasize design processes by leveraging state-of-the-art technologies from other developed fields to derive valuable polymers, functional materials, chemicals plastics. The principles, mechanisms, opportunities chemical (thermo-, electro-, photocatalytic) well biocatalytic ones are discussed, which may provide more insights future processes. Finally, outlooks perspectives accelerate toward feasible economy discussed.

Language: Английский

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Catalytic Transformation of PET and CO₂ into High‐Value Chemicals

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 61(10)

Published: Jan. 6, 2022

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and CO2 , two chemical wastes that urgently need to be transformed in the environment, are converted simultaneously a one-pot catalytic process through synergistic coupling of three reactions: hydrogenation, PET methanolysis dimethyl (DMT) hydrogenation. More interestingly, equilibria both reactions were shifted forward due revealed dual-promotion effect, leading significantly enhanced depolymerization. The overall methanol yield from hydrogenation exceeded original thermodynamic equilibrium limit since was situ consumed methanolysis. degradation by stoichiometric ratio because primary product, DMT hydrogenated cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DMCD) or p-xylene (PX). This provides an effective way recycle wastes, polyesters for producing high-value chemicals.

Language: Английский

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Depolymerization within a Circular Plastics System

Chemical Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 124(5), P. 2617 - 2650

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

The societal importance of plastics contrasts with the carelessness which they are disposed. Their superlative properties lead to economic and environmental efficiency, but linearity puts climate, human health, global ecosystems at risk. Recycling is fundamental transitioning this linear model into a more sustainable, circular economy. Among recycling technologies, chemical depolymerization offers route virgin quality recycled plastics, especially when valorizing complex waste streams poorly served by mechanical methods. However, exists in interlinked system end-of-life fates, complementarity each approach key environmental, economic, sustainability. This review explores recent progress made five commercial polymers: poly(ethylene terephthalate), polycarbonates, polyamides, aliphatic polyesters, polyurethanes. Attention paid not only catalytic technologies used enhance efficiencies also interrelationship other systemic constraints imposed Novel polymers, designed for depolymerization, concisely reviewed terms their underlying chemistry potential integration current plastic systems.

Language: Английский

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Chemical Recycling Processes of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate Using Solid Catalysts

ChemSusChem, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(14)

Published: March 27, 2023

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a non-degradable single-use plastic and major component of waste in landfills. Chemical recycling one the most widely adopted methods to transform post-consumer PET into PET's building block chemicals. Non-catalytic depolymerization very slow requires high temperatures and/or pressures. Recent advancements field material science catalysis have delivered several innovative strategies promote under mild reaction conditions. Particularly, heterogeneous catalysts assisted monomers other value-added chemicals industrially compatible method. This review includes current progresses on heterogeneously catalyzed chemical PET. It describes four key pathways for including, glycolysis, pyrolysis, alcoholysis, reductive depolymerization. The catalyst function, active sites structure-activity correlations are briefly outlined each section. An outlook future development also presented.

Language: Английский

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Chemical recycling of Polyethylene terephthalate: A mini-review

Journal of environmental chemical engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(3), P. 112507 - 112507

Published: March 15, 2024

Plastic waste management, particularly addressing the challenges of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste, has become increasingly urgent in face escalating environmental concerns. This paper critically examines glycolysis-based PET recycling, focusing on its potential as a promising solution. Despite lightweight properties and cost-effectiveness advantages, poses multifaceted challenges, including contaminant removal, scale-up hurdles, economic viability. Catalyst optimization maintaining end-product quality are crucial for enhancing recycling efficiency market acceptance. Moreover, this review underscores importance impact assessments regulatory compliance guiding sustainable management practices. To overcome infrastructure limitations foster global collaboration, concerted efforts needed to educate consumers facilitate international cooperation. By these holds promise mitigating plastic pollution promoting circular economy. The highlights recent advancements applications resultant product, Bis HydroxyEthl Terephthalate (BHET).

Language: Английский

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Metal-catalyzed plastic depolymerization

Cell Reports Physical Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(5), P. 101341 - 101341

Published: March 29, 2023

Polymers have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, and today we produce around 370 MT plastic per year. Only about 20% it is being recycled, the rest, 80%, unleashed into environment without appropriate treatment. This calls forth evaluation strategies available for mitigating menace "after-use" waste. Various approaches evolved over a decade are at different levels development. Plastic depolymerization upcycling considered some most prominent long-term solutions. The metal-catalyzed waste to chemical feedstocks has emerged as one promising ways address global pollution. Therefore, this review aims examine methods, notify recent progress, pinpoint current gaps, gauge potential strategy. Both homogeneous heterogeneous catalysts been reported depolymerize various polymers last decade. Considerable advances in metal-mediated polyolefins, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyethers. above produces monomers or intermediates, which can be used again polymerization thus brings back circularity. overview debates usage high temperatures, sophisticated ligands, expensive metals, stoichiometric reagents, etc., depolymerization. Thus, summarizes understanding fundamental science depolymerization, remaining scientific challenges, opportunities.

Language: Английский

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Corrosion Engineering of Part‐Per‐Million Single Atom Pt₁/Ni(OH)₂ Electrocatalyst for PET Upcycling at Ampere‐Level Current Density

Advanced Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 36(23)

Published: March 20, 2024

Abstract The plastic waste issue has posed a series of formidable challenges for the ecological environment and human health. While conventional recycling strategies often lead to down‐cycling, electrochemical strategy recovering valuable monomers enables an ideal, circular economy. Here corrosion synthesized single atom Pt 1 /Ni(OH) 2 electrocatalyst with part‐per‐million noble loading highly efficient selective upcycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into chemicals (potassium diformate terephthalic acid) green hydrogen is reported. Electro‐oxidation PET hydrolysate, ethylene glycol (EG), formate processed high Faraday efficiency (FE) selectivity (>90%) at current density close 1000 mA cm −2 (1.444 V vs RHE). in situ spectroscopy functional theory calculations provide insights mechanism understanding efficiency. Remarkably, electro‐oxidation EG ampere‐level also successfully illustrated by using membrane‐electrode assembly FEs integrated production 500 h continuous operation. This process allows chemical space‐time yield profitable (588–700 $ ton −1 PET), showing industrial perspective on single‐atom catalysis upcycling.

Language: Английский

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Assessment of PET Depolymerization Processes for Circular Economy. 1. Thermodynamics, Chemistry, Purification, and Process Design

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 63(8), P. 3355 - 3399

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is the most widely produced thermoplastic and used in drink bottles, packaging, textiles. Chemical depolymerization represents a way to recycle PET that robust low purity quality of some waste sources. This work investigates three primary routes depolymerize into feedstocks produce polymer: methanolysis, glycolysis, hydrolysis. unique providing thorough review thermodynamics, chemistry, purification strategies, design processes from an industrial perspective. provides detailed descriptions different variants processes. We summarize available data necessary process indicate where gaps exist. demonstrate importance separation sections process, which are rarely addressed academic literature. also designs strategies technologies employ address challenges.

Language: Английский

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