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Continuous Rapid Depolymerization Process to Upcycle Polyethylene Terephthalate into Polyols

delete2025-03-07
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PRE
AI
K
Kok Wei Joseph Ng
E
Evan Yu
C
Chun-Po Hu
Y
Yen Nan Liang
K
Kanapaty Pelly Periasamy
陈辉 cover
陈辉 (Hui Chen)
X
Xiao Hu
DOI:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c10460delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most widely used polymers in the world. This extensive adoption has led to issues involving disposal of PET products after usage. Mechanical recycling has become the default option for most recycling efforts. However, such processes often result in products with substandard properties, reducing the overall value of downcycled PET. Chemical recycling for the full depolymerization of PET into monomers has also been targeted as a method. Unfortunately, achieving full depolymerization requires a complex series of processes, which often involve the usage of high temperatures, pressures, and chemical solvents. All of these factors can limit the mass-scale adoption of such processes. This study presents the development of a novel continuous extrusion-based depolymerization process for PET into an oligomeric feedstock for upcycling without the need for toxic chemicals. Following optimization of the cleaving agent and temperature, the successful depolymerization of both pure PET and actual PET textile waste was achieved, together with the demonstration of upcycling of extrudates into reprocessable vitrimer films to function as a recyclable adhesive. The developed process is one that is straightforward and efficient with good scalability. As such, the process has great potential to have a large impact, not only on the sustainable usage of PET but also on other polycondensation polymers.
Keywords:
chemical recycling
polyester
solventless
reactive extrusion
partial depolymerization
branched oligomer
vitrimer
adhesive

Journal

ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering cover
ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering
IF:
7.3
Papers:
1.7W
Citations:
10.7W

Organization

No organization information available
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

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errKenichi NAKAJIMA; Kohmei HALADA; Kiyoshi IJIMA; Tetsuya NAGASAKA
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Reprocessing Postconsumer Polyurethane Foam Using Carbamate Exchange Catalysis and Twin-Screw Extrusion
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errSheppard, Daylan T.; Jin, Kailong; Hamachi, Leslie S.; Dean, William; Fortman, David J.; Ellison, Christopher J.; Dichtel, William R.
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Beyond Mechanical Recycling: Giving New Life to Plastic Waste
err2020-06-25
err969
errOAAI
errVollmer, Ina; Jenks, Michael J. F.; Roelands, Mark C. P.; White, Robin J.; van Harmelen, Toon; de Wild, Paul; van Der Laan, Gerard P.; Meirer, Florian; Keurentjes, Jos T. F.; Weckhuysen, Bert M.
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