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Zhang W, Killian L, Thevenon A. Electrochemical recycling of polymeric materials. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8606-8624. [PMID: 38873080 PMCID: PMC11168094 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01754d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymeric materials play a pivotal role in our modern world, offering a diverse range of applications. However, they have been designed with end-properties in mind over recyclability, leading to a crisis in their waste management. The recent emergence of electrochemical recycling methodologies for polymeric materials provides new perspectives on closing their life cycle, and to a larger extent, the plastic loop by transforming plastic waste into monomers, building blocks, or new polymers. In this context, we summarize electrochemical strategies developed for the recovery of building blocks, the functionalization of polymer chains as well as paired electrolysis and discuss how they can make an impact on plastic recycling, especially compared to traditional thermochemical approaches. Additionally, we explore potential directions that could revolutionize research in electrochemical plastic recycling, addressing associated challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhe Zhang
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Lars Killian
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Arnaud Thevenon
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 Utrecht The Netherlands
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Zhang G, Mao Q, Yue Y, Gao R, Duan Y, Du H. Ni-based catalysts supported on Hbeta zeolite for the hydrocracking of waste polyolefins. RSC Adv 2024; 14:15856-15861. [PMID: 38756856 PMCID: PMC11096778 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02809k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyolefin plastics are the most popular polymer materials worldwide, and the catalytic degradation of post-consumer polyolefins has attracted increased attention as a viable process. In this study, two types of Ni-based catalysts supported on Hbeta zeolite, Ni-Hbeta and NiS2-Hbeta, have been successfully synthesized for the hydrocracking of waste polyolefin. The experimental results indicated that the synergistic effect between Ni or NiS2 and the acidic sites of Hbeta zeolites can significantly enhance the tandem cracking and hydrogenation of polyolefin plastics, which suppresses the formation of gas products and coke. Ni-Hbeta employed as a catalyst can effectively degrade HDPE into high value liquid and gas products with high yield of 94% under 523 K and 3 MPa H2, while also exhibiting excellent cycle stability. In particular, Ni-Hbeta shows better catalytic performance than NiS2-Hbeta during the hydrocracking of HDPE at a relatively low temperature of 523 K. Furthermore, Ni-Hbeta catalyst also exhibits a remarkable capability for efficient depolymerization of unsorted post-consumer polyolefin plastics (HDPE, LDPE, PP) containing various additives and pollutants. These findings underscore the application potential of employing noble metal-free and recyclable catalysts for hydrocracking plastic waste, thereby facilitating the realization of a circular economy for plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Qingguo Mao
- Liaoning Bora Bioenergy Co. Ltd Panjin 124000 Liaoning P. R. China
| | - Yiqun Yue
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Ruitong Gao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Yajing Duan
- College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Hui Du
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
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Liu Y, Ma B, Tian J, Zhao C. Coupled conversion of polyethylene and carbon dioxide catalyzed by a zeolite-metal oxide system. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn0252. [PMID: 38608025 PMCID: PMC11014447 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Zeolite-catalyzed polyethylene (PE) aromatization achieves reduction of the aromatic yield via hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions. The hydrogen required for CO2 hydrogenation can be provided by H radicals formed during aromatization. In this study, we efficiently convert PE and CO2 into aromatics and CO using a zeolite-metal oxide catalyst (HZSM-5 + CuZnZrOx) at 380°C and under hydrogen- and solvent-free reaction conditions. Hydrogen, derived from the aromatization of PE over HZSM-5, diffuses through the Brønsted acidic sites of the zeolite to the adjacent CuZnZrOx, where it is captured in situ by CO2 to produce bicarbonate and further hydrogenated to CO. This favors aromatization while inhibiting hydrogenation and secondary hydrogenolysis reactions. An aromatic yield of 62.5 wt % is achieved, of which 60% consisted of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). The conversion of CO2 reaches values as high as 0.55 mmol gPE-1. This aromatization-hydrogen capture pathway provides a feasible scheme for the comprehensive utilization of waste plastics and CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Bing Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Jingqing Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
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Park SU, Seo HJ, Seo YH, Park JY, Kim H, Cho WY, Lee PC, Lee BY. Ductile Copolyesters Prepared Using Succinic Acid, 1,4-Butanediol, and Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate with Minimizing Generation of Tetrahydrofuran. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:519. [PMID: 38399897 PMCID: PMC10891720 DOI: 10.3390/polym16040519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Poly(1,4-butylene succinate) (PBS) is a promising sustainable and biodegradable synthetic polyester. In this study, we synthesized PBS-based copolyesters by incorporating 5-20 mol% of -O2CC6H4CO2- and -OCH2CH2O- units through the polycondensation of succinic acid (SA) with 1,4-butanediol (BD) and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). Two different catalysts, H3PO4 and the conventional catalyst (nBuO)4Ti, were used comparatively in the synthesis process. The copolyesters produced using the former were treated with M(2-ethylhexanoate)2 (M = Mg, Zn, Mn) to connect the chains through ionic interactions between M2+ ions and either -CH2OP(O)(OH)O- or (-CH2O)2P(O)O- groups. By incorporating BHET units (i.e., -O2CC6H4CO2- and -OCH2CH2O-), the resulting copolyesters exhibited improved ductile properties with enhanced elongation at break, albeit with reduced tensile strength. The copolyesters prepared with H3PO4/M(2-ethylhexanoate)2 displayed a less random distribution of -O2CC6H4CO2- and -OCH2CH2O- units, leading to a faster crystallization rate, higher Tm value, and higher yield strength compared to those prepared with (nBuO)4Ti using the same amount of BHET. Furthermore, they displayed substantial shear-thinning behavior in their rheological properties due to the presence of long-chain branches of (-CH2O)3P=O units. Unfortunately, the copolyesters prepared with H3PO4/M(2-ethylhexanoate)2, and hence containing M2+, -CH2OP(O)(OH)O-, (-CH2O)2P(O)O- groups, did not exhibit enhanced biodegradability under ambient soil conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bun Yeoul Lee
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea; (S.U.P.); (H.J.S.); (Y.H.S.); (J.Y.P.); (H.K.); (W.Y.C.); (P.C.L.)
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Zakaria M, Bhuiyan MAR, Hossain MS, Khan NMMU, Salam MA, Nakane K. Advances of polyolefins from fiber to nanofiber: fabrication and recent applications. DISCOVER NANO 2024; 19:24. [PMID: 38321325 PMCID: PMC10847085 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-023-03945-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Polyolefins are a widely accepted commodity polymer made from olefinic monomer consisting of carbon and hydrogen. This thermoplastic polymeric material is formed through reactive double bonds of olefins by the addition polymerization technique and it possesses a diverse range of unique features for a large variety of applications. Among the various types, polyethylene and polypropylene are the prominent classes of polyolefins that can be crafted and manipulated into diversified products for numerous applications. Research on polyolefins has boomed tremendously in recent times owing to the abundance of raw materials, low cost, lightweight, high chemical resistance, diverse functionalities, and outstanding physical characteristics. Polyolefins have also evidenced their potentiality as a fiber in micro to nanoscale and emerged as a fascinating material for widespread high-performance use. This review aims to provide an elucidation of the breakthroughs in polyolefins, namely as fibers, filaments, and yarns, and their applications in many domains such as medicine, body armor, and load-bearing industries. Moreover, the development of electrospun polyolefin nanofibers employing cutting-edge techniques and their prospective utilization in filtration, biomedical engineering, protective textiles, and lithium-ion batteries has been illustrated meticulously. Besides, this review delineates the challenges associated with the formation of polyolefin nanofiber using different techniques and critically analyzes overcoming the difficulties in forming functional nanofibers for the innovative field of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zakaria
- Department of Textile Engineering, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Gazipur, 1707, Bangladesh.
| | - M A Rahman Bhuiyan
- Department of Textile Engineering, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Gazipur, 1707, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shakawat Hossain
- Frontier Fiber Technology and Science, University of Fukui, Fukui, 910-8507, Japan
- Department of Textile Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - N M-Mofiz Uddin Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Gazipur, 1707, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abdus Salam
- Department of Textile Engineering, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Gazipur, 1707, Bangladesh
- Department of Research and Development, Epyllion Fabrics Ltd., Epyllion Group, Gazipur, 1703, Bangladesh
| | - Koji Nakane
- Frontier Fiber Technology and Science, University of Fukui, Fukui, 910-8507, Japan
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Xie Z, Han B, Sun Y, Su BL, Yang J, Bao X, He M. Green carbon science for carbon neutrality. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad225. [PMID: 37693694 PMCID: PMC10488194 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Buxing Han
- Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Yuhan Sun
- Shanxi Research Institute of Huairou Lab, China
| | - Bao-Lian Su
- University of Namur, Belgium and Wuhan University of Technology, China
| | - Junlin Yang
- National Natural Science Foundation of China, China
| | - Xinhe Bao
- University of Science and Technology of China, China
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