Harnessing Non-Thermal External Stimuli for Polymer Recycling

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Polymeric materials have become indispensable due to their versatility and low cost, yet their environmental impact presents a significant global challenge. Traditional chemical recycling methods typically rely on heat as a stimulus; for instance, pyrolysis is a popular chemical recycling methodology which faces limitations due to high energy consumption, low product selectivity, and the generation of undesirable byproducts. In response, recent advances in the promotion of depolymerization and degradation through alternative stimuli such as light, electrochemistry, and mechanical force, have shown promising potential for more efficient and selective polymer breakdown, yielding either the starting monomers or valuable small molecules. This perspective explores key examples of these emerging strategies, highlighting their potential to improve upon current protocols and offer alternative pathways under milder conditions, while identifying significant challenges that future research must address to translate promising chemistry into viable and broadly applicable recycling strategies.
Funding Information
  • NCCR Catalysis
  • Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
  • European Research Council (949219)

This publication has 106 references indexed in Scilit: