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1
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Clark R, Shaver MP. Depolymerization within a Circular Plastics System. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2617-2650. [PMID: 38386877 PMCID: PMC10941197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The societal importance of plastics contrasts with the carelessness with which they are disposed. Their superlative properties lead to economic and environmental efficiency, but the linearity of plastics puts the climate, human health, and global ecosystems at risk. Recycling is fundamental to transitioning this linear model into a more sustainable, circular economy. Among recycling technologies, chemical depolymerization offers a route to virgin quality recycled plastics, especially when valorizing complex waste streams poorly served by mechanical methods. However, chemical depolymerization exists in a complex and interlinked system of end-of-life fates, with the complementarity of each approach key to environmental, economic, and societal sustainability. This review explores the recent progress made into the depolymerization of five commercial polymers: poly(ethylene terephthalate), polycarbonates, polyamides, aliphatic polyesters, and polyurethanes. Attention is paid not only to the catalytic technologies used to enhance depolymerization efficiencies but also to the interrelationship with other recycling technologies and to the systemic constraints imposed by a global economy. Novel polymers, designed for chemical depolymerization, are also concisely reviewed in terms of their underlying chemistry and potential for integration with current plastic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbie
A. Clark
- Department
of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
- Sustainable
Materials Innovation Hub, Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Shaver
- Department
of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
- Sustainable
Materials Innovation Hub, Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
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2
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Lou X, Liu F, Li Q, Chu M, Wang G, Chen J, Cao M. Advances in solar-driven, electro/photoelectrochemical, and microwave-assisted upcycling of waste polyesters. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:2828-2838. [PMID: 38362916 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05930h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Plastic waste in the environment causes significant environmental pollution. The potential of using chemical methods for upcycling plastic waste offers a dual solution to ensure resource sustainability and environmental restoration. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the latest technologies driven by solar-driven, electro/photoelectrochemical-catalytic, and microwave-assisted methods for the conversion of plastics into various valuable chemicals. It emphasizes selective conversion during the plastic transformation process, elucidates reaction pathways, and optimizes product selectivity. Finally, the article offers insights into the future developments of chemical upcycling of polyesters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangxi Lou
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China.
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Fangyue Liu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Qingye Li
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Mingyu Chu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Guiling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Jinxing Chen
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Muhan Cao
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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3
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Ma M, Wang S, Liu Y, Yu H, Yu S, Ji C, Li H, Nie G, Liu S. Insights into the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate in methanol. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meiyuan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Yue Liu
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Hailong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Shitao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Congcong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Haiyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Genkuo Nie
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
- Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Science & Technology of Ministry of Education Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Jinan China
| | - Shiwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow Reaction and Separation Engineering of Shandong Province, College of Chemical Engineering Qingdao University of Science and Technology Qingdao China
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4
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Gayathri V, Sheyara RTB, Devassy N, Samanta D. Investigating the degradation of
PET
utilizing
NHC
‐based catalysts and effective reuse of the degradation product as an additive with polyurethane adhesive material. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Varnakumar Gayathri
- Polymer Science & Technology Department CSIR‐Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar Chennai India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh India
| | - R. Tata Birla Sheyara
- Polymer Science & Technology Department CSIR‐Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar Chennai India
| | - Neenu Devassy
- Polymer Science & Technology Department CSIR‐Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar Chennai India
| | - Debasis Samanta
- Polymer Science & Technology Department CSIR‐Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar Chennai India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh India
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