Selective, Sequential, and “One-Pot” Depolymerization Strategies for Chemical Recycling of Commercial Plastics and Mixed Plastics
Rulin Yang, Guangqiang Xu, Bingzhe Dong, Xuanhua Guo, Qinggang Wang
Abstract
The commercial plastics that are currently used in large-scale are primarily concerned with performance and durability, rather than degradability and recyclability. As a result, the chemical recycling of plastics becomes a significant challenge. Selective depolymerization of the mixed plastic waste is a promising solution to the challenges caused by plastic accumulation. Here we present sequential and “one-pot” depolymerization strategies for chemical recycling of commercial plastics (PLA, BPA-PC, PBS, PBAT, PCL, and PET) and mixed plastics (BPA-PC/PET, PLA/PBS, and PLA/PBAT) to their initial monomers or value-added chemicals. Taking advantage of the differences in depolymerization reactivity of commercial plastics and versatile catalytic degradation ability of zinc bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] [Zn(HMDS)2], the selective depolymerization process was smoothly achieved under mild conditions. These strategies provide ideas for promoting the sustainable development of plastics that are currently being used in large-scale.