Advances in sustainable polyolefins: synthesis, chemical transformation and recycling
Yuxing Zhang, Dian Yang, Xu Li, Peng-An Chen, Xiukuan Yao, Zhongbao Jian
Abstract
Polyolefins dominate global plastic production due to their cost-effectiveness and versatile performance, yet their environmental persistence and low recycling pose critical challenges to sustainability. Conventional recycling methods of inert native polyolefins face fundamental limitations, including toxic byproduct generation and energy-intensive processes. This review examines advances in sustainable polyolefins that bear weak bonds in terms of synthesis, chemical transformation and recycling. By incorporating cleavable bonds into the polymer backbone, traditionally persistent polyolefins retain essential mechanical properties while enabling designed deconstruction under mild conditions. We critically unify advances across three aspects: synthetic approaches for weak-bond integration; polyolefin main-chain postmodification and transformation; chemical recycling of polyolefin. Recent breakthroughs demonstrate viable routes to sustainable polyolefins. Challenges in structure-property-degradability balancing are analysed, with future directions emphasizing highly controlled degradation, backbone structure optimization and precise control of the polymer-chain structure. This paradigm shift toward degradable-by-design polyolefins offers a roadmap to decouple plastic production from fossil dependence while addressing global plastic recycling.