1
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Hu Y, Tian Y, Zou C, Moon TS. The current progress of tandem chemical and biological plastic upcycling. Biotechnol Adv 2024:108462. [PMID: 39395608 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 08/31/2024] [Accepted: 10/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024]
Abstract
Each year, millions of tons of plastics are produced for use in such applications as packaging, construction, and textiles. While plastic is undeniably useful and convenient, its environmental fate and transport have raised growing concerns about waste and pollution. However, the ease and low cost of producing virgin plastic have so far made conventional plastic recycling economically unattractive. Common contaminants in plastic waste and shortcomings of the recycling processes themselves typically mean that recycled plastic products are of relatively low quality in some cases. The high cost and high energy requirements of typical recycling operations also reduce their economic benefits. In recent years, the bio-upcycling of chemically treated plastic waste has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional plastic recycling. Unlike recycling, bio-upcycling uses relatively mild process conditions to economically transform pretreated plastic waste into value-added products. In this review, we first provide a précis of the general methodology and limits of conventional plastic recycling. Then, we review recent advances in hybrid chemical/biological upcycling methods for different plastics, including polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. For each kind of plastic, we summarize both the pretreatment methods for making the plastic bio-available and the microbial chassis for degrading or converting the treated plastic waste to value-added products. We also discuss both the limitations of upcycling processes for major plastics and their potential for bio-upcycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Hu
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Yuxin Tian
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Chenghao Zou
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tae Seok Moon
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; Synthetic Biology Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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2
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Lu Q, Tang D, Liang Q, Wang S. Biotechnology for the Degradation and Upcycling of Traditional Plastics. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 263:120140. [PMID: 39395553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2024] [Revised: 10/09/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024]
Abstract
Traditional plastics, predominantly derived from petrochemicals, are extensively utilized in modern industry and daily life. However, inadequate management and disposal practices have resulted in widespread environmental contamination, with polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene being the most prevalent pollutants. Biological methods for plastic degradation have garnered significant attention due to their cost-effectiveness and potential for resource recovery, positioning them as promising strategies for sustainable plastic waste management. While polyethylene terephthalate, characterized by its relatively less stable C-O bonds, has been extensively studied and demonstrates significant potential for biodegradation. In contrast, the biodegradation of other plastics remains a significant challenge due to the inherent stability of their C-C backbone structures. This review comprehensively examines the state-of-the-art biotechnology for treating these traditional plastics, focusing on: (1) the roles of specific microorganisms and enzymes, their taxonomic classifications, and the metabolic pathways involved in plastic biodegradation; and (2) a proposed two-stage hybrid approach integrating physicochemical and biological processes to enhance the biodegradation or upcycling of these traditional plastics. Additionally, the review highlights the critical role of multi-omics approaches and tailored strategies in enhancing the efficiency of plastic biodegradation while examining the impact of plastic molecular structures and additives on their degradation potential. It also addresses key challenges and delineates future research directions to foster the development of innovative biological methods for the effective and sustainable management of plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihong Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China 510006.
| | - Daoyu Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China 510006
| | - Qi Liang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China 510006
| | - Shanquan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China 510006.
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3
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Lin Q, Chee PL, Pang JJM, Loh XJ, Kai D, Lim JYC. Sustainable Polymeric Biomaterials from Alternative Feedstocks. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024. [PMID: 39382551 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
As materials engineered to interact with biological systems for medical purposes, polymeric biomedical materials have revolutionized and are indispensable in modern healthcare. However, aging populations and improving healthcare standards worldwide have resulted in ever-increasing demands for such biomaterials. Currently, many clinically used polymers are derived from nonrenewable petroleum resources, thus spurring the need for exploring alternatives for the next generation of sustainable biomaterials. Other than biomass, this Perspective also spotlights carbon dioxide and postuse plastics as viable resources potentially suitable for biomaterial production. For each alternative feedstock, key recent developments and practical considerations are discussed, including emerging biomaterial applications, possible feedstock sources, and hindrances toward translation and practical adoption. Other than replacements for petroleum-derived polymers, we explore how utilization of these alternatives capitalizes on their intrinsic physiochemical and material properties to achieve their desired therapeutic effects. We hope that this Perspective can stimulate further development in sustainable biomaterials to achieve practical therapeutic benefits as part of a circular materials economy with minimal environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Lin
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Pei Lin Chee
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jaime J M Pang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Xian Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Dan Kai
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Dr, 637459, Singapore
| | - Jason Y C Lim
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576, Singapore
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4
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Ogawa S, Morita H, Hsu YI, Uyama H, Tobisu M. Controlled degradation of chemically stable poly(aryl ethers) via directing group-assisted catalysis. Chem Sci 2024:d4sc04147j. [PMID: 39386902 PMCID: PMC11457300 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc04147j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
To establish a sustainable society, the development of polymer materials capable of reverting into monomers on demand is crucial. Traditional methods rely on breaking labile bonds such as esters in the main chain, which limits applicability to polymers that consist of robust covalent bonds. We found that the integration of directing groups allowed the engineering of resilient polymers with built-in recyclability. Our study showcases phenylene ether-based polymers fortified with directing groups, which can be selectively disassembled under nickel catalysts via selective cleavage of carbon-oxygen bonds. Notably, these polymers exhibit exceptional chemical stability towards acids, bases, and oxidizing agents, while being degradable to well-defined, repolymerizable molecules in the presence of a catalyst. Our findings allow for the development of next-generation polymer materials that are chemically recyclable by design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Ogawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Hiroki Morita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Yu-I Hsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Hiroshi Uyama
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Mamoru Tobisu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Innovative Catalysis Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (ICS-OTRI) Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
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5
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Stepnov AA, Lopez-Tavera E, Klauer R, Lincoln CL, Chowreddy RR, Beckham GT, Eijsink VGH, Solomon K, Blenner M, Vaaje-Kolstad G. Revisiting the activity of two poly(vinyl chloride)- and polyethylene-degrading enzymes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8501. [PMID: 39353919 PMCID: PMC11445424 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52665-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Biocatalytic degradation of non-hydrolyzable plastics is a rapidly growing field of research, driven by the global accumulation of waste. Enzymes capable of cleaving the carbon-carbon bonds in synthetic polymers are highly sought-after as they may provide tools for environmentally friendly plastic recycling. Despite some reports of oxidative enzymes acting on non-hydrolyzable plastics, including polyethylene or poly(vinyl chloride), the notion that these materials are susceptible to efficient enzymatic degradation remains controversial, partly driven by a general lack of studies independently reproducing previous observations. Here, we attempt to replicate two recent studies reporting that deconstruction of polyethylene and poly(vinyl chloride) can be achieved using an insect hexamerin from Galleria mellonella (so-called "Ceres") or a bacterial catalase-peroxidase from Klebsiella sp., respectively. Reproducing previously described experiments, we do not observe any activity on plastics using multiple reaction conditions and multiple substrate types. Digging deeper into the discrepancies between the previous data and our observations, we show how and why the original experimental results may have been misinterpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton A Stepnov
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Esteban Lopez-Tavera
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Ross Klauer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Clarissa L Lincoln
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
- BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | | | - Gregg T Beckham
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
- BOTTLE Consortium, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Vincent G H Eijsink
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kevin Solomon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Mark Blenner
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, NMBU - Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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6
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Kong D, Wang L, Yuan Y, Xia W, Liu Z, Shi M, Wu J. Review of key issues and potential strategies in bio-degradation of polyolefins. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024:131557. [PMID: 39357608 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Polyolefins are the most widely used plastic product and a major contributor to white pollution. Currently, studies on polyolefin degradation systems are mainly focused on microorganisms and some redox enzymes, and there is a serious black-box phenomenon. The use of polyolefin-degrading enzymes is limited because of the small number of enzymes; in addition, the catalytic efficiency of these enzymes is poor and their catalytic mechanism is unclear, which leads to the incomplete degradation of polyolefins to produce microplastics. In this review three questions are addressed: the generation and degradation of action targets that promote the degradation of polyolefins, the different modes by which enzymes bind substrates and their application scenarios, and possible multienzyme systems in a unified system. This review will be valuable for mining or modifying polyolefin degradation enzymes and constructing polyolefins degradation systems and may provide novel ideas and opportunities for polyolefin degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demin Kong
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Zhanzhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Meng Shi
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China.
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7
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Xu Z, Sun D, Xu J, Yang R, Russell JD, Liu G. Progress and Challenges in Polystyrene Recycling and Upcycling. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202400474. [PMID: 38757556 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202400474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Polystyrene is a staple plastic in the packaging and insulation market. Despite its good recyclability, the willingness of PS recycling remains low, largely due to the high recycling cost and limited profitability. This review examines the research progresses, gaps, and challenges in areas that affect the recycling costs, including but not limited to logistics, packaging design, and policymaking. We critically evaluate the recent developments in upcycling strategies, and we particularly focus on tandem and hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) upcycling strategies. We conclude that future upcycling studies should focus on not only reaction chemistry and mechanisms but also economic viability of the processes. The goal of this review is to stimulate the development of innovative recycling strategies with low recycling costs and high economic output values. We hope to stimulate the economic and technological momentum of PS recycling towards a sustainable and circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Polytechnology University, Xi'an, 710000, China
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
| | - Dongshi Sun
- School of Information and Business Management, Dalian Neusoft University of Information, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jianjun Xu
- Institute of Supply Chain Analytics, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, 116025, China
| | - Rong Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Polytechnology University, Xi'an, 710000, China
| | - Jennifer D Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
- Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
| | - Guoliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA-24061, US
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8
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Zhao B, Hu Z, Sun Y, Hajiayi R, Wang T, Jiao N. Selective Upcycling of Polyolefins into High-Value Nitrogenated Chemicals. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 39241040 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c07965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2024]
Abstract
The selective upcycling of polyolefins to create products of increased value has emerged as an innovative approach to carbon resource stewardship, drawing significant scientific and industrial interest. Although recent advancements in recycling technology have facilitated the direct conversion of polyolefins to hydrocarbons or oxygenated compounds, the synthesis of nitrogenated compounds from such waste polyolefins has not yet been disclosed. Herein, we demonstrate a novel approach for the upcycling of waste polyolefins by efficiently transforming a range of postconsumer plastic products into nitriles and amides. This process leverages the catalytic properties of manganese dioxide in combination with an inexpensive nitrogen source, urea, to make it both practical and economically viable. Our approach not only opens new avenues for the creation of nitrogenated chemicals from polyolefin waste but also underscores the critical importance of recycling and valorizing carbon resources originally derived from fossil fuels. This study provides a new upcycling strategy for the sustainable conversion of waste polyolefins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binzhi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yichen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Rehemuhali Hajiayi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Teng Wang
- College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ning Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China
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9
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Kapoor A, Raghunathan M, Lal B, Kumar P, Srivastava N, Devnani GL, Pal DB. Sustainable valorization of waste plastic into nanostructured materials for environmental, energy, catalytic and biomedical applications: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143279. [PMID: 39251163 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
The extensive production and utilization of plastic products are inevitable in the current scenario. However, the non-degradable nature of waste plastic generated after use poses a grave concern. Comprehensive efforts are being made to find viable technological solutions to manage the escalating challenge of waste plastic. This review focuses on the progress made in transformation of waste plastic into value-added nanomaterials. An overview is provided of the waste plastic issue on a global level and its ecological impacts. Currently established methodologies for waste plastic management are examined, along with their limitations. Subsequently, state-of-the-art techniques for converting waste plastic into nanostructured materials are presented, with a critical evaluation of their distinct merits and demerits. Several demonstrated technologies and case studies are discussed regarding the utilization of these nanomaterials in diverse applications, including environmental remediation, energy production and storage, catalytic processes, sensors, drug delivery, bioimaging, regenerative medicine and advanced packaging materials. Moreover, challenges and prospects in the commercial level production of waste plastic-derived nanomaterials and their adoption for industrial and practical usage are highlighted. Overall, this work underscores the potential of transforming waste plastic into nanostructured materials for multifaceted applications. The valorization approach presented here offers an integration of waste plastic management and sustainable nanotechnology. The development of such technologies should pave the way toward a circular economy and the attainment of sustainable development goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kapoor
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India
| | - Muthukumar Raghunathan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Basant Lal
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Applied Sciences and Humanities, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Neha Srivastava
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India; Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
| | - G L Devnani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India
| | - Dan Bahadur Pal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 208002, India.
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10
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Xu G, Hou L, Wu P. Sustainable Plastics with High Performance and Convenient Processibility. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2405301. [PMID: 39031981 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202405301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Designing and making sustainable plastics is especially urgent to reduce their ecological and environmental impacts. However, it remains challenging to construct plastics with simultaneous high sustainability and outstanding comprehensive performance. Here, a composite strategy of in situ polymerizing a petroleum-based monomer with the presence of an industrialized bio-derived polymer in a quasi-solvent-free system is introduced, affording the plastic with excellent mechanical robustness, impressive thermal and solvent stability, as well as low energy, consumes during production, processing, and recycling. Particularly, the plastic can be easily processed into diverse shapes through 3D printing, injection molding, etc. during polymerization and further reprocessed into other complex structures via eco-friendly hydrosetting. In addition, the plastic is mechanically robust with Young's modulus of up to 3.7 GPa and tensile breaking strength of up to 150.2 MPa, superior to many commercially available plastics and other sustainable plastics. It is revealed that hierarchical hydrogen bonds in plastic predominate the well-balanced sustainability and performance. This work provides a new path for fabricating high-performance sustainable plastic toward practical applications, contributing to the circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guogang Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Lei Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Peiyi Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
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11
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Lin TW, Padilla-Vélez O, Kaewdeewong P, LaPointe AM, Coates GW, Eagan JM. Advances in Nonreactive Polymer Compatibilizers for Commodity Polyolefin Blends. Chem Rev 2024; 124:9609-9632. [PMID: 39052522 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Recycling mixed polyolefin plastics is a significant challenge due to the limitations in sorting and degraded mechanical properties of blends. Nonreactive compatibilization by adding a small amount of polymeric additive is a widespread approach to restoring the performance and value of recycled plastics. Over the past several decades, synthetic advances have enabled access to low-cost copolymers and precision architectures for deepening the understanding of compatibilization mechanisms in semicrystalline polyolefins. This review covers the design parameters of a polymeric compatibilizer, the testing of blends, the synthetic methods of producing economically viable additives, and surveys the literature of blends of compatibilized HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, and iPP. From this, readers should gain a comprehension of the polymer mechanics, synthesis, and macromolecular engineering of processable polyolefin blends, along with the field's future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Wei Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - Omar Padilla-Vélez
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - Parin Kaewdeewong
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The Goodyear Polymer Science Building, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Anne M LaPointe
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - Geoffrey W Coates
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - James M Eagan
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The Goodyear Polymer Science Building, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
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12
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Jaydev SD, Martín AJ, Garcia D, Chikri K, Pérez-Ramírez J. Assessment of transport phenomena in catalyst effectiveness for chemical polyolefin recycling. NATURE CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2024; 1:565-575. [PMID: 39323546 PMCID: PMC11420077 DOI: 10.1038/s44286-024-00108-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Since the dawn of agitated brewing in the Paleolithic era, effective mixing has enabled efficient reactions. Emerging catalytic chemical polyolefin recycling processes present unique challenges, considering that the polymer melt has a viscosity three orders of magnitude higher than that of honey. The lack of protocols to achieve effective mixing may have resulted in suboptimal catalyst effectiveness. In this study, we have tackled the hydrogenolysis of commercial-grade high-density polyethylene and polypropylene to show how different stirring strategies can create differences of up to 85% and 40% in catalyst effectiveness and selectivity, respectively. The reaction develops near the H2-melt interface, with the extension of the interface and access to catalyst particles the main performance drivers. Leveraging computational fluid dynamics simulations, we have identified a power number of 15,000-40,000 to maximize the catalyst effectiveness factor and optimize stirring parameters. This temperature- and pressure-independent model holds across a viscosity range of 1-1,000 Pa s. Temperature gradients may quickly become relevant for reactor scale-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibashish D Jaydev
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonio J Martín
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Katia Chikri
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Javier Pérez-Ramírez
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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13
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Sun J, Dong J, Gao L, Zhao YQ, Moon H, Scott SL. Catalytic Upcycling of Polyolefins. Chem Rev 2024; 124:9457-9579. [PMID: 39151127 PMCID: PMC11363024 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
The large production volumes of commodity polyolefins (specifically, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and poly(vinyl chloride)), in conjunction with their low unit values and multitude of short-term uses, have resulted in a significant and pressing waste management challenge. Only a small fraction of these polyolefins is currently mechanically recycled, with the rest being incinerated, accumulating in landfills, or leaking into the natural environment. Since polyolefins are energy-rich materials, there is considerable interest in recouping some of their chemical value while simultaneously motivating more responsible end-of-life management. An emerging strategy is catalytic depolymerization, in which a portion of the C-C bonds in the polyolefin backbone is broken with the assistance of a catalyst and, in some cases, additional small molecule reagents. When the products are small molecules or materials with higher value in their own right, or as chemical feedstocks, the process is called upcycling. This review summarizes recent progress for four major catalytic upcycling strategies: hydrogenolysis, (hydro)cracking, tandem processes involving metathesis, and selective oxidation. Key considerations include macromolecular reaction mechanisms relative to small molecule mechanisms, catalyst design for macromolecular transformations, and the effect of process conditions on product selectivity. Metrics for describing polyolefin upcycling are critically evaluated, and an outlook for future advances is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiakai Sun
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
| | - Jinhu Dong
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United
States
| | - Lijun Gao
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United
States
| | - Yu-Quan Zhao
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
| | - Hyunjin Moon
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United
States
| | - Susannah L. Scott
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of California, Santa
Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, United
States
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14
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Shi C, Diment WT, Chen EYX. Closed-Loop Recycling of Mixed Plastics of Polyester and CO 2-Based Polycarbonate to a Single Monomer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202405083. [PMID: 38837601 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202405083] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Physical blending is an effective strategy for tailoring polymeric materials to specific application requirements. However, physically blended mixed plastics waste adds additional barriers in mechanical or chemical recycling. This difficulty arises from the intricate requirement for meticulous sorting and separation of the various polymers in the inherent incompatibility of mixed polymers during recycling. To overcome this impediment, this work furthers the emerging single-monomer - multiple-materials approach through the design of a bifunctional monomer that can not only orthogonally polymerize into two different types of polymers - specifically lactone-based polyester and CO2-based polycarbonate - but the resultant polymers and their mixture can also be depolymerized back to the single, original monomer when facilitated by catalysis. Specifically, the lactone/epoxide hybrid bifunctional monomer (BiLO) undergoes ring-opening polymerization through the lactone manifold to produce polyester, PE(BiLO), and is also applied to ring-opening copolymerization with CO2, via the epoxide manifold, to yield polycarbonate, PC(BiLO). Remarkably, a one-pot recycling process of a BiLO-derived PE/PC blend back to the constituent monomer BiLO in >99 % selectivity was achieved with a superbase catalyst at 150 °C, thereby effectively obviating the requirement for sorting and separation typically required for recycling of mixed polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxia Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523-1872, United States
| | - Wilfred T Diment
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523-1872, United States
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523-1872, United States
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15
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Chin M, Diao T. Industrial and Laboratory Technologies for the Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste. ACS Catal 2024; 14:12437-12453. [PMID: 39169909 PMCID: PMC11334192 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.4c03194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic polymers play an indispensable role in modern society, finding applications across various sectors ranging from packaging, textiles, and consumer products to construction, electronics, and industrial machinery. Commodity plastics are cheap to produce, widely available, and versatile to meet diverse application needs. As a result, millions of metric tons of plastics are manufactured annually. However, current approaches for the chemical recycling of postconsumer plastic waste, primarily based on pyrolysis, lag in efficiency compared to their production methods. In recent years, significant research has focused on developing milder, economically viable methods for the chemical recycling of commodity plastics, which involves converting plastic waste back into monomers or transforming it into other valuable chemicals. This Perspective examines both industrial and cutting-edge laboratory-scale methods contributing to recent advancements in the field of chemical recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason
T. Chin
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Tianning Diao
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, New York 10003, United States
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16
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Wurst K, Birkle M, Scherer KJ, Mecking S. Circular Melt-Spun Textile Fibers from Polyethylene-like Long-Chain Polyesters. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2024; 6:9219-9225. [PMID: 39144276 PMCID: PMC11320378 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.4c01570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
As textiles contribute considerably to overall anthropogenic pollution and resource consumption, increasing their circularity is essential. We report the melt-spinning of long-chain polyesters, materials recently shown to be fully chemically recyclable under mild conditions, as well as biodegradable. High-quality uniform fibers are enabled by the polymers' favorable combination of thermal stability, crystallization ability, melt strength, and homogeneity. The polyethylene-like crystalline structure endows these fibers with mechanical strength, which is further enhanced by its orientation upon drawing (tensile strength of up to 270 MPa). In vitro depolymerization by high concentrations of Humicola insolens cutinase underlines the accessibility of the fibers for enzymatic degradation, which can proceed from the surface and through the entire fiber within days, depending on the choice of the fiber material. Fibers and knitted fabrics withstand stress, as encountered in machine washing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Wurst
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Melissa Birkle
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Katharina J. Scherer
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stefan Mecking
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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17
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Du M, Xue R, Yuan W, Cheng Y, Cui Z, Dong W, Qiu B. Tandem Integration of Biological and Electrochemical Catalysis for Efficient Polyester Upcycling under Ambient Conditions. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:9768-9775. [PMID: 39057181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c02966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Excessive production of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) poses an ecological challenge, which necessitates developing technologies to extract the values from end-of-life PET. Upcycling has proven effective in addressing the low profitability of current recycling strategies, yet existing upcycling technologies operate under energy-intensive conditions. Here we report a cascade strategy to steer the transformation of PET waste into glycolate in an overall yield of 92.6% under ambient conditions. The cascade approach involves setting up a robust hydrolase with 95.6% PET depolymerization into ethylene glycol (EG) monomer within 12 h, followed by an electrochemical process initiated by a CO-tolerant Pd/Ni(OH)2 catalyst to convert the EG intermediate into glycolate with high Faradaic efficiency of 97.5%. Techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment indicate that, compared with the widely adopted electrochemical technology that heavily relies on alkaline pretreatment for PET depolymerization, our designed enzymatic-electrochemical approach offers a cost-effective and low-carbon pathway to upgrade PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pesticide Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Rui Xue
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Wenfang Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pesticide Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yun Cheng
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Zhongli Cui
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Weiliang Dong
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Bocheng Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pesticide Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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18
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Yang S, Li Y, Nie M, Liu X, Wang Q, Chen N, Zhang C. Lifecycle Management for Sustainable Plastics: Recent Progress from Synthesis, Processing to Upcycling. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2404115. [PMID: 38869422 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202404115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Plastics, renowned for their outstanding properties and extensive applications, assume an indispensable and irreplaceable role in modern society. However, the ubiquitous consumption of plastic items has led to a growing accumulation of plastic waste. Unreasonable practices in the production, utilization, and recycling of plastics have led to substantial energy resource depletion and environmental pollution. Herein, the state-of-the-art advancements in the lifecycle management of plastics are timely reviewed. Unlike typical reviews focused on plastic recycling, this work presents an in-depth analysis of the entire lifecycle of plastics, covering the whole process from synthesis, processing, to ultimate disposal. The primary emphasis lies on selecting judicious strategies and methodologies at each lifecycle stage to mitigate the adverse environmental impact of waste plastics. Specifically, the article delineates the rationale, methods, and advancements realized in various lifecycle stages through both physical and chemical recycling pathways. The focal point is the attainment of optimal recycling rates for waste plastics, thereby alleviating the ecological burden of plastic pollution. By scrutinizing the entire lifecycle of plastics, the article aims to furnish comprehensive solutions for reducing plastic pollution and fostering sustainability across all facets of plastic production, utilization, and disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangqiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- The Research Department of Resource Carbon Neutrality, Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu, 610213, China
| | - Yijun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- The Research Department of Resource Carbon Neutrality, Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu, 610213, China
| | - Min Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xingang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- The Research Department of Resource Carbon Neutrality, Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu, 610213, China
| | - Ning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- The Research Department of Resource Carbon Neutrality, Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu, 610213, China
| | - Chuhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- The Research Department of Resource Carbon Neutrality, Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu, 610213, China
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19
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Castro J, Westworth X, Shrestha R, Yokoyama K, Guan Z. Efficient and Robust Dynamic Crosslinking for Compatibilizing Immiscible Mixed Plastics through In Situ Generated Singlet Nitrenes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2406203. [PMID: 38848581 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202406203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Creating a sustainable economy for plastics demands the exploration of new strategies for efficient management of mixed plastic waste. The inherent incompatibility of different plastics poses a major challenge in plastic mechanical recycling, resulting in phase-separated materials with inferior mechanical properties. Here, this study presents a robust and efficient dynamic crosslinking chemistry that effectively compatibilizes mixed plastics. Composed of aromatic sulfonyl azides, the dynamic crosslinker shows high thermal stability and generates singlet nitrene species in situ during solvent-free melt-extrusion, effectively promoting C─H insertion across diverse plastics. This new method demonstrates successful compatibilization of binary polymer blends and model mixed plastics, enhancing mechanical performance and improving phase morphology. It holds promise for managing mixed plastic waste, supporting a more sustainable lifecycle for plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Castro
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Xavier Westworth
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Roman Shrestha
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Kosuke Yokoyama
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Zhibin Guan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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20
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Stoddard H, Kulas D, Zolghadr A, Aloba S, Schaerer LG, Putman L, Valencia I, Lacey JA, Shonnard DR, Techtmann SM, Ong RG. Biofilm mitigation in hybrid chemical-biological upcycling of waste polymers. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1435695. [PMID: 39104625 PMCID: PMC11298394 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1435695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Accumulation of plastic waste in the environment is a serious global issue. To deal with this, there is a need for improved and more efficient methods for plastic waste recycling. One approach is to depolymerize plastic using pyrolysis or chemical deconstruction followed by microbial-upcycling of the monomers into more valuable products. Microbial consortia may be able to increase stability in response to process perturbations and adapt to diverse carbon sources, but may be more likely to form biofilms that foul process equipment, increasing the challenge of harvesting the cell biomass. Methods: To better understand the relationship between bioprocess conditions, biofilm formation, and ecology within the bioreactor, in this study a previously-enriched microbial consortium (LS1_Calumet) was grown on (1) ammonium hydroxide-depolymerized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monomers and (2) the pyrolysis products of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Bioreactor temperature, pH, agitation speed, and aeration were varied to determine the conditions that led to the highest production of planktonic biomass and minimal formation of biofilm. The community makeup and diversity in the planktonic and biofilm states were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results: Results showed that there was very little microbial growth on the liquid product from pyrolysis under all fermentation conditions. When grown on the chemically-deconstructed PET the highest cell density (0.69 g/L) with minimal biofilm formation was produced at 30°C, pH 7, 100 rpm agitation, and 10 sL/hr airflow. Results from 16S rRNAsequencing showed that the planktonic phase had higher observed diversity than the biofilm, and that Rhodococcus, Paracoccus, and Chelatococcus were the most abundant genera for all process conditions. Biofilm formation by Rhodococcus sp. And Paracoccus sp. Isolates was typically lower than the full microbial community and varied based on the carbon source. Discussion: Ultimately, the results indicate that biofilm formation within the bioreactor can be significantly reduced by optimizing process conditions and using pure cultures or a less diverse community, while maintaining high biomass productivity. The results of this study provide insight into methods for upcycling plastic waste and how process conditions can be used to control the formation of biofilm in bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter Stoddard
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Daniel Kulas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Ali Zolghadr
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Sulihat Aloba
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Laura G. Schaerer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Lindsay Putman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Isabel Valencia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Lacey
- Biological Processing Department, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, United States
| | - David R. Shonnard
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Stephen M. Techtmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Rebecca G. Ong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
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21
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Mubayi V, Ahern CB, Calusinska M, O’Malley MA. Toward a Circular Bioeconomy: Designing Microbes and Polymers for Biodegradation. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:1978-1993. [PMID: 38918080 PMCID: PMC11264326 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Polymer production is rapidly increasing, but there are no large-scale technologies available to effectively mitigate the massive accumulation of these recalcitrant materials. One potential solution is the development of a carbon-neutral polymer life cycle, where microorganisms convert plant biomass to chemicals, which are used to synthesize biodegradable materials that ultimately contribute to the growth of new plants. Realizing a circular carbon life cycle requires the integration of knowledge across microbiology, bioengineering, materials science, and organic chemistry, which itself has hindered large-scale industrial advances. This review addresses the biodegradation status of common synthetic polymers, identifying novel microbes and enzymes capable of metabolizing these recalcitrant materials and engineering approaches to enhance their biodegradation pathways. Design considerations for the next generation of biodegradable polymers are also reviewed, and finally, opportunities to apply findings from lignocellulosic biodegradation to the design and biodegradation of similarly recalcitrant synthetic polymers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Mubayi
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Colleen B. Ahern
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Magdalena Calusinska
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Environmental
Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg
Institute of Science and Technology, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Michelle A. O’Malley
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Joint
BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, California 94608, United States
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22
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Zou C, Chen J, Khan MA, Si G, Chen C. Stapler Strategies for Upcycling Mixed Plastics. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:19449-19459. [PMID: 38953865 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical recycling is one of the simplest and most economical strategies to address ever-increasing plastic pollution, but it cannot be applied to immiscible mixed plastics and suffers from property deterioration after each cycle. By combining the amphiphilic block copolymer strategy and reactive compatibilization strategy, we designed a series of stapler strategies for compatibilizing/upcycling mixed plastics. First, various functionalized graft copolymers were accessed via different synthetic routes. Subsequently, the addition of a very small amount of stapler molecules induced a synergistic effect with the graft copolymers that improved the compatibility and mechanical properties of mixed plastics. These strategies were highly effective for various binary/ternary plastic systems and can be directly applied to postconsumer waste plastics, which can increase the toughness of mixed postconsumer waste plastics by 162 times. Most importantly, it also effectively improved the impact resistance, adhesion performance, and three-dimensional (3D) printing performance of mixed plastics, and permitted the recycling of plastic blends 20 times with minimal degradation in their mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zou
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Muhammad Asadullah Khan
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Guifu Si
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Changle Chen
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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23
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Lu B, Takahashi K, Zhou J, Nakagawa S, Yamamoto Y, Katashima T, Yoshie N, Nozaki K. Mild Catalytic Degradation of Crystalline Polyethylene Units in a Solid State Assisted by Carboxylic Acid Groups. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:19599-19608. [PMID: 38952064 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c07458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Crystalline polyethylenes bearing carboxylic acid groups in the main chain were successfully degraded with a Ce catalyst and visible light. The reaction proceeds in a crystalline solid state without swelling in acetonitrile or water at a reaction temperature as low as 60 or 80 °C, employing dioxygen in air as the only stoichiometric reactant with nearly quantitative recovery of carbon atoms. Heterogeneous features of the reaction allowed us to reveal a dynamic morphological change of polymer crystals during the degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kohei Takahashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Jian Zhou
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Yuta Yamamoto
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takuya Katashima
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshie
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Kyoko Nozaki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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24
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Oh S, Stache EE. Recent advances in oxidative degradation of plastics. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:7309-7327. [PMID: 38884337 DOI: 10.1039/d4cs00407h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Oxidative degradation is a powerful method to degrade plastics into oligomers and small oxidized products. While thermal energy has been conventionally employed as an external stimulus, recent advances in photochemistry have enabled photocatalytic oxidative degradation of polymers under mild conditions. This tutorial review presents an overview of oxidative degradation, from its earliest examples to emerging strategies. This review briefly discusses the motivation and the development of thermal oxidative degradation of polymers with a focus on underlying mechanisms. Then, we will examine modern studies primarily relevant to catalytic thermal oxidative degradation and photocatalytic oxidative degradation. Lastly, we highlight some unique studies using unconventional approaches for oxidative polymer degradation, such as electrochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sewon Oh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Erin E Stache
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
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25
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Satta A, Ghiotto G, Santinello D, Giangeri G, Bergantino E, Modesti M, Raga R, Treu L, Campanaro S, Zampieri G. Synergistic functional activity of a landfill microbial consortium in a microplastic-enriched environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174696. [PMID: 38997032 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution of the soil is a global issue of increasing concern, with far-reaching impact on the environment and human health. To fully understand the medium- and long-term impact of plastic dispersal in the environment, it is necessary to define its interaction with the residing microbial communities and the biochemical routes of its degradation and metabolization. However, despite recent attention on this problem, research has largely focussed on microbial functional potential, failing to clearly identify collective adaptation strategies of these communities. Our study combines genome-centric metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to characterise soil microbial communities adapting to high polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate concentration. The microbiota were sampled from a landfill subject to decades-old plastic contamination and enriched through prolonged cultivation using these microplastics as the only carbon source. This approach aimed to select the microorganisms that best adapt to these specific substrates. As a result, we obtained simplified communities where multiple plastic metabolization pathways are widespread across abundant and rare microbial taxa. Major differences were found in terms of expression, which on average was higher in planktonic microbes than those firmly adhered to plastic, indicating complementary metabolic roles in potential microplastic assimilation. Moreover, metatranscriptomic patterns indicate a high transcriptional level of numerous genes in emerging taxa characterised by a marked accumulation of genomic variants, supporting the hypothesis that plastic metabolization requires an extensive rewiring in energy metabolism and thus provides a strong selective pressure. Altogether, our results provide an improved characterisation of the impact of microplastics derived from common plastics types on terrestrial microbial communities and suggest biotic responses investing contaminated sites as well as potential biotechnological targets for cooperative plastic upcycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Satta
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ghiotto
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Davide Santinello
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ginevra Giangeri
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy; Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, 227, 220, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Michele Modesti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Gradenigo, 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Raga
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padua, via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Laura Treu
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Stefano Campanaro
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Guido Zampieri
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U. Bassi 58/b, 35131 Padova, Italy
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26
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Li A, Wu L, Cui H, Song Y, Zhang X, Li X. Unlocking a Sustainable Future for Plastics: A Chemical-Enzymatic Pathway for Efficient Conversion of Mixed Waste to MHET and Energy-Saving PET Recycling. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301612. [PMID: 38385577 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The heterogeneous monomers obtained from plastic waste degradation are unfavorable for PET recondensation and high-value derivative synthesis. Herein, we developed an efficient chemical-enzymatic approach to convert mixed plastic wastes into homogeneous mono-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET) without downstream purification, benefiting from three discovered BHETases (KbEst, KbHyd, and BrevEst) in nature. Towards the mixed plastic waste, integrating the chemical K2CO3-driven glycolysis process with the BHETase depolymerization technique resulted in an MHET yield of up to 98.26 % in 40 h. Remarkably, BrevEst accomplished the highest BHET hydrolysis (~87 % efficiency in 12 h) for yielding analytical-grade MHET compared to seven state-of-the-art PET hydrolases (18 %-40 %). In an investigation combining quantum theoretical computations and experimental validations, we established a MHET-initiated PET repolymerization pathway. This shortcut approach with MHET promises to strengthen the valorization of mixed plastics, offering a substantially more efficient and energy-saving route for PET recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Luxuan Wu
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Cui
- School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yibo Song
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Zhang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiujuan Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
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27
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Zhang Z, Lv Y, Ji L, Chen P, Han S, Zhu Y, Li L, Jia Z, Loh TP. Triaryl Carbenium Ion Pair Mediated Electrocatalytic Benzylic C-H Oxygenation in Air. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202406588. [PMID: 38664822 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202406588] [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: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The selective oxidation of benzylic C-H bonds is a pivotal transformation in organic synthesis. Undoubtedly, achieving efficient and highly selective aerobic oxidation of methylarenes to benzaldehydes has been highly challenging due to the propensity of benzaldehyde to undergo overoxidation under typical aerobic conditions. Herein, we propose an innovative approach to address this issue by leveraging electrocatalytic processes, facilitated by ion-pair mediators [Ph3C]+[B(C6F5)4]-. By harnessing the power of electrochemistry, we successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of our strategy, which enables the selective oxidation of benzylic C-H bonds in benzylic molecules and toluene derivatives. Notably, our approach exhibited high efficiency, excellent selectivity, and compatibility with various functional groups, underscoring the broad applicability of our methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenguo Zhang
- Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Nanyang, 637371, Singapore
| | - Yongheng Lv
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Liang Ji
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shuyan Han
- Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yufei Zhu
- Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Lanyang Li
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Zhenhua Jia
- Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Nanyang, 637371, Singapore
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Teck-Peng Loh
- Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua Street, Zhongyuan District, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Nanyang, 637371, Singapore
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
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28
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Liu P, Jimaja S, Immel S, Thomas C, Mayer M, Weder C, Bruns N. Mechanically triggered on-demand degradation of polymers synthesized by radical polymerizations. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1184-1192. [PMID: 38609710 PMCID: PMC11230896 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Polymers that degrade on demand have the potential to facilitate chemical recycling, reduce environmental pollution and are useful in implant immolation, drug delivery or as adhesives that debond on demand. However, polymers made by radical polymerization, which feature all carbon-bond backbones and constitute the most important class of polymers, have proven difficult to render degradable. Here we report cyclobutene-based monomers that can be co-polymerized with conventional monomers and impart the resulting polymers with mechanically triggered degradability. The cyclobutene residues act as mechanophores and can undergo a mechanically triggered ring-opening reaction, which causes a rearrangement that renders the polymer chains cleavable by hydrolysis under basic conditions. These cyclobutene-based monomers are broadly applicable in free radical and controlled radical polymerizations, introduce functional groups into the backbone of polymers and allow the mechanically gated degradation of high-molecular-weight materials or cross-linked polymer networks into low-molecular-weight species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Sètuhn Jimaja
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Immel
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Michael Mayer
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Weder
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Nico Bruns
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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29
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Klauer RR, Hansen DA, Wu D, Monteiro LMO, Solomon KV, Blenner MA. Biological Upcycling of Plastics Waste. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2024; 15:315-342. [PMID: 38621232 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-100522-115850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Plastic wastes accumulate in the environment, impacting wildlife and human health and representing a significant pool of inexpensive waste carbon that could form feedstock for the sustainable production of commodity chemicals, monomers, and specialty chemicals. Current mechanical recycling technologies are not economically attractive due to the lower-quality plastics that are produced in each iteration. Thus, the development of a plastics economy requires a solution that can deconstruct plastics and generate value from the deconstruction products. Biological systems can provide such value by allowing for the processing of mixed plastics waste streams via enzymatic specificity and using engineered metabolic pathways to produce upcycling targets. We focus on the use of biological systems for waste plastics deconstruction and upcycling. We highlight documented and predicted mechanisms through which plastics are biologically deconstructed and assimilated and provide examples of upcycled products from biological systems. Additionally, we detail current challenges in the field, including the discovery and development of microorganisms and enzymes for deconstructing non-polyethylene terephthalate plastics, the selection of appropriate target molecules to incentivize development of a plastic bioeconomy, and the selection of microbial chassis for the valorization of deconstruction products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross R Klauer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA; ,
| | - D Alex Hansen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA; ,
| | - Derek Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA; ,
| | | | - Kevin V Solomon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA; ,
| | - Mark A Blenner
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA; ,
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30
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Bergeson AR, Silvera AJ, Alper HS. Bottlenecks in biobased approaches to plastic degradation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4715. [PMID: 38830860 PMCID: PMC11148140 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49146-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic waste is an environmental challenge, but also presents a biotechnological opportunity as a unique carbon substrate. With modern biotechnological tools, it is possible to enable both recycling and upcycling. To realize a plastics bioeconomy, significant intrinsic barriers must be overcome using a combination of enzyme, strain, and process engineering. This article highlights advances, challenges, and opportunities for a variety of common plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia R Bergeson
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ashli J Silvera
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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31
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Yang J, Li Z, Xu Q, Liu W, Gao S, Qin P, Chen Z, Wang A. Towards carbon neutrality: Sustainable recycling and upcycling strategies and mechanisms for polyethylene terephthalate via biotic/abiotic pathways. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2024; 3:117-130. [PMID: 38638172 PMCID: PMC11021832 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most ubiquitous engineering plastics, presents both environmental challenges and opportunities for carbon neutrality and a circular economy. This review comprehensively addressed the latest developments in biotic and abiotic approaches for PET recycling/upcycling. Biotically, microbial depolymerization of PET, along with the biosynthesis of reclaimed monomers [terephthalic acid (TPA), ethylene glycol (EG)] to value-added products, presents an alternative for managing PET waste and enables CO2 reduction. Abiotically, thermal treatments (i.e., hydrolysis, glycolysis, methanolysis, etc.) and photo/electrocatalysis, enabled by catalysis advances, can depolymerize or convert PET/PET monomers in a more flexible, simple, fast, and controllable manner. Tandem abiotic/biotic catalysis offers great potential for PET upcycling to generate commodity chemicals and alternative materials, ideally at lower energy inputs, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs, compared to virgin polymer fabrication. Remarkably, over 25 types of upgraded PET products (e.g., adipic acid, muconic acid, catechol, vanillin, and glycolic acid, etc.) have been identified, underscoring the potential of PET upcycling in diverse applications. Efforts can be made to develop chemo-catalytic depolymerization of PET, improve microbial depolymerization of PET (e.g., hydrolysis efficiency, enzymatic activity, thermal and pH level stability, etc.), as well as identify new microorganisms or hydrolases capable of degrading PET through computational and machine learning algorithms. Consequently, this review provides a roadmap for advancing PET recycling and upcycling technologies, which hold the potential to shape the future of PET waste management and contribute to the preservation of our ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Yang
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhiling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qiongying Xu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wenzong Liu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuhong Gao
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Peiwu Qin
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhenglin Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Aijie Wang
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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32
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Cen Z, Han X, Lin L, Yang S, Han W, Wen W, Yuan W, Dong M, Ma Z, Li F, Ke Y, Dong J, Zhang J, Liu S, Li J, Li Q, Wu N, Xiang J, Wu H, Cai L, Hou Y, Cheng Y, Daemen LL, Ramirez-Cuesta AJ, Ferrer P, Grinter DC, Held G, Liu Y, Han B. Upcycling of polyethylene to gasoline through a self-supplied hydrogen strategy in a layered self-pillared zeolite. Nat Chem 2024; 16:871-880. [PMID: 38594366 PMCID: PMC11164678 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01506-z] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Conversion of plastic wastes to valuable carbon resources without using noble metal catalysts or external hydrogen remains a challenging task. Here we report a layered self-pillared zeolite that enables the conversion of polyethylene to gasoline with a remarkable selectivity of 99% and yields of >80% in 4 h at 240 °C. The liquid product is primarily composed of branched alkanes (selectivity of 72%), affording a high research octane number of 88.0 that is comparable to commercial gasoline (86.6). In situ inelastic neutron scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and isotope-labelling experiments reveal that the activation of polyethylene is promoted by the open framework tri-coordinated Al sites of the zeolite, followed by β-scission and isomerization on Brönsted acids sites, accompanied by hydride transfer over open framework tri-coordinated Al sites through a self-supplied hydrogen pathway to yield selectivity to branched alkanes. This study shows the potential of layered zeolite materials in enabling the upcycling of plastic wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Cen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Han
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Longfei Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Sihai Yang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Wanying Han
- 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, China
| | - Weilong Wen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenli Yuan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Minghua Dong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiye Ma
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Li
- 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, China
| | - Yubin Ke
- China Spallation Neutron Source, Institute of High Energy Physics, Dongguan, China
| | - Juncai Dong
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuhu Liu
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jialiang Li
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Li
- Center for Physicochemical Analysis Measurements, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ningning Wu
- Center for Physicochemical Analysis Measurements, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junfeng Xiang
- Center for Physicochemical Analysis Measurements, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Beijing, China
| | - Lile Cai
- SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Beijing, China
| | - Yanbo Hou
- SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Beijing, China
| | - Yongqiang Cheng
- Neutron Scattering Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Luke L Daemen
- Neutron Scattering Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Anibal J Ramirez-Cuesta
- Neutron Scattering Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Pilar Ferrer
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - David C Grinter
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Georg Held
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Yueming 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, China
| | - Buxing Han
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- 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, China.
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, Shanghai, China.
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33
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Wang K, Yuan F, Huang L. Recent Progresses and Challenges in Upcycling of Plastics through Selective Catalytic Oxidation. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202300701. [PMID: 38409525 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300701] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Chemical upcycling of plastics provides an important direction for solving the challenging issues of plastic pollution and mitigating the wastage of carbon resources. Among them, catalytic oxidative cracking of plastics to produce high-value chemicals, such as catalytic oxidation of polyethylene (PE) to produce fatty dicarboxylic acids, catalytic oxidation of polystyrene (PS) to produce benzoic acid, and catalytic oxidation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to produce terephthalic acid under mild conditions has attracted increasing attention, and some exciting progress has been made recently. In this article, we will review recent progresses on the catalytic oxidation upcycling of plastics and provide our understanding on the current challenges in catalytic oxidation upcycling of plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Wang
- Research Center of Nano Science and Technology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Fan Yuan
- Research Center of Nano Science and Technology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Lei Huang
- Research Center of Nano Science and Technology, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
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34
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Yan ZF, Feng CQ, Chen XQ, Jin CX, Xia W, Chen S, Wu J. Design and construction of chemical-biological module clusters for degradation and assimilation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 361:121258. [PMID: 38815428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The rising accumulation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste presents an urgent ecological challenge, necessitating an efficient and economical treatment technology. Here, we developed chemical-biological module clusters that perform chemical pretreatment, enzymatic degradation, and microbial assimilation for the large-scale treatment of PET waste. This module cluster included (i) a chemical pretreatment that involves incorporating polycaprolactone (PCL) at a weight ratio of 2% (PET:PCL = 98:2) into PET via mechanical blending, which effectively reduces the crystallinity and enhances degradation; (ii) enzymatic degradation using Thermobifida fusca cutinase variant (4Mz), that achieves complete degradation of pretreated PET at 300 g/L PET, with an enzymatic loading of 1 mg protein per gram of PET; and (iii) microbial assimilation, where Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 metabolizes the degradation products, assimilating each monomer at a rate above 90%. A comparative life cycle assessment demonstrated that the carbon emissions from our module clusters (0.25 kg CO2-eq/kg PET) are lower than those from other established approaches. This study pioneers a closed-loop system that seamlessly incorporates pretreatment, degradation, and assimilation processes, thus mitigating the environmental impacts of PET waste and propelling the development of a circular PET economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Fei Yan
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China.
| | - Chu-Qi Feng
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Chang-Xu Jin
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Wei Xia
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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35
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Armijo-Galdames B, Sadler JC. One-Pot Biosynthesis of Acetone from Waste Poly(hydroxybutyrate). ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:7748-7756. [PMID: 38783840 PMCID: PMC11110063 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c00357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The plastic waste crisis is catalyzing change across the plastics life cycle. Central to this is increased production and application of bioplastics and biodegradable plastics. In particular, poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biodegradable bioplastic that can be produced from various renewable and waste feedstocks and is a promising alternative to some petrochemical-derived and non-biodegradable plastics. Despite its advantages, PHB biodegradation depends on environmental conditions, and the effects of degradation into microplastics, oligomers, and the 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) monomer on soil microbiomes are unknown. We hypothesized that the ease of PHB biodegradation renders this next-generation plastic an ideal feedstock for microbial recycling into platform chemicals currently produced from fossil fuels. To demonstrate this, we report the one-pot degradation and recycling of PHB into acetone using a single strain of engineered Escherichia coli. Following strain development and initial bioprocess optimization, we report maximum titers of 123 mM acetone (7 g/L) from commercial PHB granules after 24 h fermentation at 30 °C. We further report biorecycling of an authentic sample of post-consumer PHB waste at a preparative scale. This is the first demonstration of biological recycling of PHB into a second-generation chemical, and it demonstrates next-generation plastic waste as a novel feedstock for the circular bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín
O. Armijo-Galdames
- Institute of Quantitative
Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Roger Land Building, Alexander Crum
Brown Road, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, U.K.
| | - Joanna C. Sadler
- Institute of Quantitative
Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Roger Land Building, Alexander Crum
Brown Road, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, U.K.
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36
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Shi C, Quinn EC, Diment WT, Chen EYX. Recyclable and (Bio)degradable Polyesters in a Circular Plastics Economy. Chem Rev 2024; 124:4393-4478. [PMID: 38518259 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Polyesters carrying polar main-chain ester linkages exhibit distinct material properties for diverse applications and thus play an important role in today's plastics economy. It is anticipated that they will play an even greater role in tomorrow's circular plastics economy that focuses on sustainability, thanks to the abundant availability of their biosourced building blocks and the presence of the main-chain ester bonds that can be chemically or biologically cleaved on demand by multiple methods and thus bring about more desired end-of-life plastic waste management options. Because of this potential and promise, there have been intense research activities directed at addressing recycling, upcycling or biodegradation of existing legacy polyesters, designing their biorenewable alternatives, and redesigning future polyesters with intrinsic chemical recyclability and tailored performance that can rival today's commodity plastics that are either petroleum based and/or hard to recycle. This review captures these exciting recent developments and outlines future challenges and opportunities. Case studies on the legacy polyesters, poly(lactic acid), poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate)s, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene succinate), and poly(butylene-adipate terephthalate), are presented, and emerging chemically recyclable polyesters are comprehensively reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxia Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Ethan C Quinn
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Wilfred T Diment
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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37
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Smak TJ, de Peinder P, Van der Waal JC, Altink R, Vollmer I, Weckhuysen BM. Oxidative Conversion of Polyethylene Towards Di-Carboxylic Acids: A Multi-Analytical Approach. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301198. [PMID: 38009265 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
To reduce the pressure on the environment created by the increasing amount of plastic waste, the need to develop suitable plastic recycling methods has become more evident. However, the chemical recycling toolbox for polyethylene (PE), the most abundant type of plastic waste, remains underdeveloped. In this work, analytical methods were developed to explore the possibility to oxidatively convert PE into di-carboxylic acids as reaction products. A multi-analytical approach including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-flame ionization detection, several (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance methods as well as in-situ transmission infrared spectroscopy was used. This led to a thorough qualitative and quantitative analysis on the product mixture, which extends and clarifies the existing literature. Without a catalyst (thermally) already up to 7 mol % di-carboxylic acids can be formed. Furthermore, it was found that the majority of the oxidized functionalities are carboxylic acids, (methyl) ketones, γ-lactones, γ-ketones and esters. An intra-molecular hydrogen shift seemed key in the cleavage step and the formation of late-stage side products. In addition, crosslinking reactions due to esterification reactions seem to limit the di-carboxylic acid yield. Therefore, these two handles can be taken into account to study and design similar (catalytic) systems for the oxidative conversion of plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom J Smak
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter de Peinder
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rinke Altink
- TNO, Brightsite, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD, Geleen, The Netherlands
| | - Ina Vollmer
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bert M Weckhuysen
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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38
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Pereyra‐Camacho MA, Pardo I. Plastics and the Sustainable Development Goals: From waste to wealth with microbial recycling and upcycling. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14459. [PMID: 38588222 PMCID: PMC11001195 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastics pollution has become one of the greatest concerns of the 21st century. To date, around 10 billion tons of plastics have been produced almost exclusively from non-renewable sources, and of these, <10% have been recycled. The majority of discarded plastic waste (>70%) is accumulating in landfills or the environment, causing severe impacts to natural ecosystems and human health. Considering how plastics are present in every aspect of our daily lives, it is evident that a transition towards a Circular Economy of plastics is essential to achieve several of the Sustainable Development Goals. In this editorial, we highlight how microbial biotechnology can contribute to this shift, with a special focus on the biological recycling of conventional plastics and the upcycling of plastic-waste feedstocks into new value-added products. Although important hurdles will need to be overcome in this endeavour, recent success stories highlight how interdisciplinary approaches can bring us closer to a bio-based economy for the sustainable management of plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Pereyra‐Camacho
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSICMadridSpain
- Interdisciplinary Platform SusPlast, CSICMadridSpain
| | - Isabel Pardo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSICMadridSpain
- Interdisciplinary Platform SusPlast, CSICMadridSpain
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39
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Weiland F, Kohlstedt M, Wittmann C. Biobased de novo synthesis, upcycling, and recycling - the heartbeat toward a green and sustainable polyethylene terephthalate industry. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 86:103079. [PMID: 38422776 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has revolutionized the industrial sector because of its versatility, with its predominant uses in the textiles and packaging materials industries. Despite the various advantages of this polymer, its synthesis is, unfavorably, tightly intertwined with nonrenewable fossil resources. Additionally, given its widespread use, accumulating PET waste poses a significant environmental challenge. As a result, current research in the areas of biological recycling, upcycling, and de novo synthesis is intensifying. Biological recycling involves the use of micro-organisms or enzymes to breakdown PET into monomers, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional recycling. Upcycling transforms PET waste into value-added products, expanding its potential application range and promoting a circular economy. Moreover, studies of cascading biological and chemical processes driven by microbial cell factories have explored generating PET using renewable, biobased feedstocks such as lignin. These avenues of research promise to mitigate the environmental footprint of PET, underlining the importance of sustainable innovations in the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabia Weiland
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Germany
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40
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Dvořák P, Burýšková B, Popelářová B, Ebert BE, Botka T, Bujdoš D, Sánchez-Pascuala A, Schöttler H, Hayen H, de Lorenzo V, Blank LM, Benešík M. Synthetically-primed adaptation of Pseudomonas putida to a non-native substrate D-xylose. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2666. [PMID: 38531855 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46812-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
To broaden the substrate scope of microbial cell factories towards renewable substrates, rational genetic interventions are often combined with adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). However, comprehensive studies enabling a holistic understanding of adaptation processes primed by rational metabolic engineering remain scarce. The industrial workhorse Pseudomonas putida was engineered to utilize the non-native sugar D-xylose, but its assimilation into the bacterial biochemical network via the exogenous xylose isomerase pathway remained unresolved. Here, we elucidate the xylose metabolism and establish a foundation for further engineering followed by ALE. First, native glycolysis is derepressed by deleting the local transcriptional regulator gene hexR. We then enhance the pentose phosphate pathway by implanting exogenous transketolase and transaldolase into two lag-shortened strains and allow ALE to finetune the rewired metabolism. Subsequent multilevel analysis and reverse engineering provide detailed insights into the parallel paths of bacterial adaptation to the non-native carbon source, highlighting the enhanced expression of transaldolase and xylose isomerase along with derepressed glycolysis as key events during the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dvořák
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Burýšková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Popelářová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Birgitta E Ebert
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Cnr College Rd & Cooper Rd, St Lucia, QLD, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tibor Botka
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dalimil Bujdoš
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, College Rd, Cork, T12 YT20, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, College Rd, Cork, T12 Y337, Ireland
| | - Alberto Sánchez-Pascuala
- Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Straße 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Schöttler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Heiko Hayen
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Víctor de Lorenzo
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CNB-CSIC, Cantoblanco, Darwin 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lars M Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Martin Benešík
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
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41
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Wimberger L, Ng G, Boyer C. Light-driven polymer recycling to monomers and small molecules. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2510. [PMID: 38509090 PMCID: PMC10954676 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46656-3] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Only a small proportion of global plastic waste is recycled, of which most is mechanically recycled into lower quality materials. The alternative, chemical recycling, enables renewed production of pristine materials, but generally comes at a high energy cost, particularly for processes like pyrolysis. This review focuses on light-driven approaches for chemically recycling and upcycling plastic waste, with emphasis on reduced energy consumption and selective transformations not achievable with heat-driven methods. We focus on challenging to recycle backbone structures composed of mainly C‒C bonds, which lack functional groups i.e., esters or amides, that facilitate chemical recycling e.g., by solvolysis. We discuss the use of light, either in conjunction with heat to drive depolymerization to monomers or via photocatalysis to transform polymers into valuable small molecules. The structural prerequisites for these approaches are outlined, highlighting their advantages as well as limitations. We conclude with an outlook, addressing key challenges, opportunities, and provide guidelines for future photocatalyst (PC) development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Wimberger
- Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design and School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gervase Ng
- Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design and School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design and School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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42
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Borchert AJ, Bleem AC, Lim HG, Rychel K, Dooley KD, Kellermyer ZA, Hodges TL, Palsson BO, Beckham GT. Machine learning analysis of RB-TnSeq fitness data predicts functional gene modules in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. mSystems 2024; 9:e0094223. [PMID: 38323821 PMCID: PMC10949508 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00942-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in engineering Pseudomonas putida KT2440 as a microbial chassis for the conversion of renewable and waste-based feedstocks, and metabolic engineering of P. putida relies on the understanding of the functional relationships between genes. In this work, independent component analysis (ICA) was applied to a compendium of existing fitness data from randomly barcoded transposon insertion sequencing (RB-TnSeq) of P. putida KT2440 grown in 179 unique experimental conditions. ICA identified 84 independent groups of genes, which we call fModules ("functional modules"), where gene members displayed shared functional influence in a specific cellular process. This machine learning-based approach both successfully recapitulated previously characterized functional relationships and established hitherto unknown associations between genes. Selected gene members from fModules for hydroxycinnamate metabolism and stress resistance, acetyl coenzyme A assimilation, and nitrogen metabolism were validated with engineered mutants of P. putida. Additionally, functional gene clusters from ICA of RB-TnSeq data sets were compared with regulatory gene clusters from prior ICA of RNAseq data sets to draw connections between gene regulation and function. Because ICA profiles the functional role of several distinct gene networks simultaneously, it can reduce the time required to annotate gene function relative to manual curation of RB-TnSeq data sets. IMPORTANCE This study demonstrates a rapid, automated approach for elucidating functional modules within complex genetic networks. While Pseudomonas putida randomly barcoded transposon insertion sequencing data were used as a proof of concept, this approach is applicable to any organism with existing functional genomics data sets and may serve as a useful tool for many valuable applications, such as guiding metabolic engineering efforts in other microbes or understanding functional relationships between virulence-associated genes in pathogenic microbes. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that comparison of data obtained from independent component analysis of transcriptomics and gene fitness datasets can elucidate regulatory-functional relationships between genes, which may have utility in a variety of applications, such as metabolic modeling, strain engineering, or identification of antimicrobial drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Borchert
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Alissa C. Bleem
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Hyun Gyu Lim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Kevin Rychel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Keven D. Dooley
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
- Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Zoe A. Kellermyer
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tracy L. Hodges
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
- Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Bernhard O. Palsson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Gregg T. Beckham
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Agile BioFoundry, Emeryville, California, USA
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43
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Schwab S, Baur M, Nelson TF, Mecking S. Synthesis and Deconstruction of Polyethylene-type Materials. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2327-2351. [PMID: 38408312 PMCID: PMC10941192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene deconstruction to reusable smaller molecules is hindered by the chemical inertness of its hydrocarbon chains. Pyrolysis and related approaches commonly require high temperatures, are energy-intensive, and yield mixtures of multiple classes of compounds. Selective cleavage reactions under mild conditions (
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon
T. Schwab
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maximilian Baur
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Taylor F. Nelson
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stefan Mecking
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
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44
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Lv H, Huang F, Zhang F. Upcycling Waste Plastics with a C-C Backbone by Heterogeneous Catalysis. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:5077-5089. [PMID: 38358312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastics with an inert carbon-carbon (C-C) backbone, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are the most widely used types of plastic in human activities. However, many of these polymers were directly discarded in nature after use, and few were appropriately recycled. This not only threatens the natural environment but also leads to the waste of carbon resources. Conventional chemical recycling of these plastics, including pyrolysis and catalytic cracking, requires a high energy input due to the chemical inertness of C-C bonds and C-H bonds and leads to complex product distribution. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of catalysts and the introduction of small molecules as additional coreactants, which could potentially overcome these challenges. In this Review, we summarize and highlight catalytic strategies that address these issues in upcycling C-C backbone plastics with small molecules, particularly in heterogeneous catalysis. We believe that this review will inspire the development of upcycling methods for C-C backbone plastics using small molecules and heterogeneous catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huidong Lv
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
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45
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Zhao B, Tan H, Yang J, Zhang X, Yu Z, Sun H, Wei J, Zhao X, Zhang Y, Chen L, Yang D, Deng J, Fu Y, Huang Z, Jiao N. Catalytic conversion of mixed polyolefins under mild atmospheric pressure. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100586. [PMID: 38414518 PMCID: PMC10897897 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The chemical recycling of polyolefin presents a considerable challenge, especially as upcycling methods struggle with the reality that plastic wastes typically consist of mixtures of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP). We report a catalytic aerobic oxidative approach for polyolefins upcycling with the corresponding carboxylic acids as the product. This method encompasses three key innovations. First, it operates under atmospheric pressure and mild conditions, using O2 or air as the oxidant. Second, it is compatible with high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, PS, PP, and their blends. Third, it uses an economical and recoverable metal catalyst. It has been demonstrated that this approach can efficiently degrade mixed wastes of plastic bags, bottles, masks, and foam boxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binzhi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hui Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomass Clean Energy, iChEM, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zidi Yu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hanli Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jialiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yufeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lili Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dali Yang
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jin Deng
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomass Clean Energy, iChEM, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yao Fu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomass Clean Energy, iChEM, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ning Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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46
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Lu C, Wijffels RH, Martins Dos Santos VAP, Weusthuis RA. Pseudomonas putida as a platform for medium-chain length α,ω-diol production: Opportunities and challenges. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14423. [PMID: 38528784 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Medium-chain-length α,ω-diols (mcl-diols) play an important role in polymer production, traditionally depending on energy-intensive chemical processes. Microbial cell factories offer an alternative, but conventional strains like Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae face challenges in mcl-diol production due to the toxicity of intermediates such as alcohols and acids. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology enable the engineering of non-model strains for such purposes with P. putida emerging as a promising microbial platform. This study reviews the advancement in diol production using P. putida and proposes a four-module approach for the sustainable production of diols. Despite progress, challenges persist, and this study discusses current obstacles and future opportunities for leveraging P. putida as a microbial cell factory for mcl-diol production. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of using P. putida as an efficient chassis for diol synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunzhe Lu
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rene H Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Vitor A P Martins Dos Santos
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Lifeglimmer GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruud A Weusthuis
- Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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47
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Jang YJ, Nguyen S, Hillmyer MA. Chemically Recyclable Linear and Branched Polyethylenes Synthesized from Stoichiometrically Self-Balanced Telechelic Polyethylenes. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4771-4782. [PMID: 38323928 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a widely used commercial plastic due to its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and water vapor barrier properties. However, less than 10% of HDPE is mechanically recycled, and the chemical recycling of HDPE is challenging due to the inherent strength of the carbon-carbon backbone bonds. Here, we report chemically recyclable linear and branched HDPE with sparse backbone ester groups synthesized from the transesterification of telechelic polyethylene macromonomers. Stoichiometrically self-balanced telechelic polyethylenes underwent transesterification polymerization to produce the PE-ester samples with high number-average molar masses of up to 111 kg/mol. Moreover, the transesterification polymerization of the telechelic polyethylenes and the multifunctional diethyl 5-(hydroxymethyl)isophthalate generated branched PE-esters. Thermal and mechanical properties of the PE-esters were comparable to those of commercial HDPE and tunable through control of the ester content in the backbone. In addition, branched PE-esters showed higher levels of melt strain hardening compared with linear versions. The PE-ester was depolymerized into telechelic macromonomers through straightforward methanolysis, and the resulting macromonomers could be effectively repolymerized to generate a high molar mass recycled PE-ester sample. This is a new and promising method for synthesizing and recycling high-molar-mass linear and branched PE-esters, which are competitive with HDPE and have easily tailorable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Jung Jang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Sam Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Marc A Hillmyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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48
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Ackermann YS, de Witt J, Mezzina MP, Schroth C, Polen T, Nikel PI, Wynands B, Wierckx N. Bio-upcycling of even and uneven medium-chain-length diols and dicarboxylates to polyhydroxyalkanoates using engineered Pseudomonas putida. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:54. [PMID: 38365718 PMCID: PMC10870600 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Bio-upcycling of plastics is an emerging alternative process that focuses on extracting value from a wide range of plastic waste streams. Such streams are typically too contaminated to be effectively processed using traditional recycling technologies. Medium-chain-length (mcl) diols and dicarboxylates (DCA) are major products of chemically or enzymatically depolymerized plastics, such as polyesters or polyethers. In this study, we enabled the efficient metabolism of mcl-diols and -DCA in engineered Pseudomonas putida as a prerequisite for subsequent bio-upcycling. We identified the transcriptional regulator GcdR as target for enabling metabolism of uneven mcl-DCA such as pimelate, and uncovered amino acid substitutions that lead to an increased coupling between the heterologous β-oxidation of mcl-DCA and the native degradation of short-chain-length DCA. Adaptive laboratory evolution and subsequent reverse engineering unravelled two distinct pathways for mcl-diol metabolism in P. putida, namely via the hydroxy acid and subsequent native β-oxidation or via full oxidation to the dicarboxylic acid that is further metabolized by heterologous β-oxidation. Furthermore, we demonstrated the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates from mcl-diols and -DCA by a single strain combining all required metabolic features. Overall, this study provides a powerful platform strain for the bio-upcycling of complex plastic hydrolysates to polyhydroxyalkanoates and leads the path for future yield optimizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannic S Ackermann
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Jan de Witt
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Mariela P Mezzina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christoph Schroth
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Tino Polen
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Pablo I Nikel
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Benedikt Wynands
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
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49
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Su H, Xu D, Li T, Zhu L, Wang S. Low-Temperature Upcycling of Polypropylene Waste into H 2 Fuel via a Novel Tandem Hydrothermal Process. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301299. [PMID: 37806957 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste is a promising and abundant resource for H2 production. However, upcycling plastic waste into H2 fuel via conventional thermochemical routes requires relatively considerable energy input and severe reaction conditions, particularly for polyolefin waste. Here, we report a tandem strategy for the selective upcycling of polypropylene (PP) waste into H2 fuel in a mild and clean manner. PP waste was first oxidized into small-molecule organic acids using pure O2 as oxidant at 190 °C, followed by the catalytic reforming of oxidation aqueous products over ZnO-modified Ru/NiAl2 O4 catalysts to produce H2 at 300 °C. A high H2 yield of 44.5 mol/kgPP and a H2 mole fraction of 60.5 % were obtained from this tandem process. The entire process operated with almost no solid residue remaining and equipment contamination, ensuring relative stability and cleanliness of the reaction system. This strategy provides a new route for low-temperature transforming PP and improving the sustainability of plastic waste disposal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongcai Su
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Dan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Lingjun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Shurong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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50
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Palumbo CT, Gu NX, Bleem AC, Sullivan KP, Katahira R, Stanley LM, Kenny JK, Ingraham MA, Ramirez KJ, Haugen SJ, Amendola CR, Stahl SS, Beckham GT. Catalytic carbon-carbon bond cleavage in lignin via manganese-zirconium-mediated autoxidation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:862. [PMID: 38286984 PMCID: PMC10825196 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Efforts to produce aromatic monomers through catalytic lignin depolymerization have historically focused on aryl-ether bond cleavage. A large fraction of aromatic monomers in lignin, however, are linked by various carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds that are more challenging to cleave and limit the yields of aromatic monomers from lignin depolymerization. Here, we report a catalytic autoxidation method to cleave C-C bonds in lignin-derived dimers and oligomers from pine and poplar. The method uses manganese and zirconium salts as catalysts in acetic acid and produces aromatic carboxylic acids as primary products. The mixtures of the oxygenated monomers are efficiently converted to cis,cis-muconic acid in an engineered strain of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that conducts aromatic O-demethylation reactions at the 4-position. This work demonstrates that autoxidation of lignin with Mn and Zr offers a catalytic strategy to increase the yield of valuable aromatic monomers from lignin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad T Palumbo
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Nina X Gu
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Alissa C Bleem
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Kevin P Sullivan
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Rui Katahira
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Lisa M Stanley
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Jacob K Kenny
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, 80303, CO, USA
| | - Morgan A Ingraham
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Kelsey J Ramirez
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Stefan J Haugen
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Caroline R Amendola
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Shannon S Stahl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Gregg T Beckham
- Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA.
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