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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Grave-to-cradle photothermal upcycling of waste polyesters over spent LiCoO2

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 28, 2024

Abstract Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and plastics are pivotal components of modern society; nevertheless, their escalating production poses formidable challenges to resource sustainability ecosystem integrity. Here, we showcase the transformation spent lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathodes into photothermal catalysts capable catalyzing upcycling diverse waste polyesters high-value monomers. The distinctive Li deficiency in LCO induces a contraction Co−O 6 unit cell, boosting monomer yield exceeding that pristine by factor 10.24. A comprehensive life-cycle assessment underscores economic viability utilizing as catalyst, yielding returns 129.6 $·kg −1 , surpassing traditional battery recycling (13–17 ). Solar-driven 100,000 tons PET can reduce 3.459 × 10 11 kJ electric energy decrease 38,716 greenhouse gas emissions. This work unveils sustainable solution for management LIBs plastics.

Language: Английский

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Chemical recycling of mixed textile waste

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(27)

Published: July 3, 2024

Globally, less than 0.5% of postconsumer textile waste is recycled, with the majority incinerated or ending up in landfills. Most textiles are mixed fibers, complicating mechanical recycling due to material blends and contaminants. Here, we demonstrate chemical conversion using microwave-assisted glycolysis over a ZnO catalyst followed by solvent dissolution. This approach electrifies process heat while allowing rapid depolymerization polyester spandex their monomers 15 minutes. A simple dissolution enables separation cotton nylon. We assess quality all components through extensive characterization, discuss potential for sustainable recycling, provide techno-economic analysis economic feasibility process.

Language: Английский

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Depolymerization mechanisms and closed-loop assessment in polyester waste recycling

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: July 25, 2024

Alcoholysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste to produce monomers, including methanolysis yield dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and glycolysis generate bis-2-hydroxyethyl (BHET), is a promising strategy in PET management. Here, we introduce an efficient PET-alcoholysis approach utilizing oxygen-vacancy (V

Language: Английский

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Morphology Optimization of Spinel Catalysts for High‐Efficiency Photothermal Catalytic Upcycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate

Advanced Materials, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 9, 2025

Thermocatalytic recycling of plastics is typically constrained by high energy input requirements, resulting in poor economic efficiency and necessitating the utilization light power. Indeed, photothermal catalysis offers several advantages over traditional photocatalysis enables more efficient use energy. In this study, unique octahedral spinel-structured cobalt manganese oxide (CoMn2O4) catalysts are prepared. CoMn2O4 acts as both a reagent catalyst, demonstrating low intensity conversion rates, enhanced reactivity, superior stability during polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glycolysis via photothermocatalysis. Oxygen vacancies created on facilitate PET providing reactive sites that promote nucleophilic addition subsequent elimination reactions. The spinel structure ensures thermal stability, while configuration enhances optical absorption coefficient efficiency. Under identical conditions, 3.1 times higher than under purely maintaining selectivity for high-value monomers. This study presents new catalyst design approach highly upcycling plastics, highlighting its substantial potential field.

Language: Английский

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Design and synthesis of functional materials by chemical recycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic: Opportunities and challenges

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 433, P. 139828 - 139828

Published: Nov. 20, 2023

Language: Английский

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Progress and Challenges in Polystyrene Recycling and Upcycling

ChemSusChem, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 17, 2024

Abstract Polystyrene is a staple plastic in the packaging and insulation market. Despite its good recyclability, willingness of PS recycling remains low, largely due to high cost limited profitability. This review examines research progresses, gaps, challenges areas that affect costs, including but not logistics, design, policymaking. We critically evaluate recent developments upcycling strategies, we particularly focus on tandem hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT) strategies. conclude future studies should only reaction chemistry mechanisms also economic viability processes. The goal this stimulate development innovative strategies with low costs output values. hope technological momentum towards sustainable circular economy.

Language: Английский

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The Current State-of-the-Art of the Processes Involved in the Chemical Recycling of Textile Waste

Molecules, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 30(2), P. 299 - 299

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

The textile industry’s rapid growth and reliance on synthetic fibres have generated significant environmental pollution, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices. Chemical recycling offers a promising pathway to reduce by converting used into valuable raw materials, yet technical challenges remain due complex compositions of waste, such as dyes, additives, blended fabrics.

Language: Английский

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Rapid Microwave-Assisted Chemical Recycling of Poly(p-Phenylene Terephthalamide)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 147(9), P. 7191 - 7195

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Back-to-monomer chemical recycling of polymers is crucial in achieving a circular plastics economy. Herein, we report the rapid microwave-assisted depolymerization poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), also known as Twaron or Kevlar. The alkaline hydrolysis PPTA was conducted microwave reactor at temperatures ranging from 240 to 260 °C with reaction times 1-15 min. highest conversion (96%) found after 15 min °C. resulting monomers terephthalic acid and p-phenylenediamine were successfully purified (>99% purity) good yields using extraction precipitation methods. This work presents fastest date under relatively mild conditions, thereby encouraging value chain for PPTA.

Language: Английский

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Advances in solar-driven, electro/photoelectrochemical, and microwave-assisted upcycling of waste polyesters

Chemical Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 60(21), P. 2828 - 2838

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

This Feature Article systematically elaborates on various emerging technologies for the upcycling of polyesters, while also anticipating future development directions.

Language: Английский

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