Synthetic polymeric materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE) are widely used in all kinds of products in our day-to-day life, due to their low cost (compared to other materials), and for their unique properties, such as high chemical inertness and mechanical resistance. At the same time, however, most of them are almost completely non-biodegradable, and have been progressively accumulated in the environment. The so-called hard non-packaging plastic wastes and scraps, for example, if not correctly delivered/disposed, represent an environmental problem that does not seem to have adequate solutions yet. Chemical degradation processes of polymeric waste are more expensive than mechanical recycling, as they require high temperatures, high pressures or long times for a complete depolymerization, although a high-value quality of recycled monomer or other products can be obtained from these treatments. There is, therefore, a pressing need of greener technologies for the treatment and recycling of plastic wastes, and in particular for the upcycling of polymers derived from fossil hydrocarbons, such as PET, PU and PE wastes. In this communication, we present some preliminary results on the depolymerization of such materials (e.g. PET) in different eco-friendly Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) as reaction media, in combination with mechanical or physical treatments (e.g., sonication, microwave irradiation) or with basic or acidic green catalysts for a low-energy/impact degradation, and for the production of a new portfolio of products with high-added value, of which post-consumer waste can represent a new raw material.
Non-biodegradable polymers depolymerization in eco-friendly deep eutectic solvents
S. PerroneMembro del Collaboration Group
;
2022-01-01
Abstract
Synthetic polymeric materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE) are widely used in all kinds of products in our day-to-day life, due to their low cost (compared to other materials), and for their unique properties, such as high chemical inertness and mechanical resistance. At the same time, however, most of them are almost completely non-biodegradable, and have been progressively accumulated in the environment. The so-called hard non-packaging plastic wastes and scraps, for example, if not correctly delivered/disposed, represent an environmental problem that does not seem to have adequate solutions yet. Chemical degradation processes of polymeric waste are more expensive than mechanical recycling, as they require high temperatures, high pressures or long times for a complete depolymerization, although a high-value quality of recycled monomer or other products can be obtained from these treatments. There is, therefore, a pressing need of greener technologies for the treatment and recycling of plastic wastes, and in particular for the upcycling of polymers derived from fossil hydrocarbons, such as PET, PU and PE wastes. In this communication, we present some preliminary results on the depolymerization of such materials (e.g. PET) in different eco-friendly Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) as reaction media, in combination with mechanical or physical treatments (e.g., sonication, microwave irradiation) or with basic or acidic green catalysts for a low-energy/impact degradation, and for the production of a new portfolio of products with high-added value, of which post-consumer waste can represent a new raw material.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
