resumo
Most polymers currently produced remain fossil-based despite the emergence of numerous biobased alternatives over the last decade offering to advantageously replace them and promote a more sustainable and circular economy. Among these, furanic polyesters, such as poly(trimethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PTF) with competitive thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties suitable for packaging applications are particularly attractive. However, these bio-based alternatives still present several challenges regarding their environmental persistence at the End-of-Life (EoL). Given the inefficiency of current recycling processes, the development of innovative and advanced recycling approaches is crucial. This study introduces a closed-loop chemical recycling approach for PTF, harnessing the remarkable capacity of Urea: Zinc Chloride Eutectic solvent to catalyse both alcoholysis and polytransesterification reactions. After the depolymerization stage (98 % conversion), no extra purification was performed between both steps, reaching a maximum recycling yield of 92 %. The obtained recycled polymers' properties were studied through FTIR, H-1 NMR, SEC, XRD, DSC, and TGA. The proposed recycling approach confirms the potential of Urea: Zinc Chloride to catalyse de-/re-polymerization continuously as an efficient and greener option to chemically recycle persistent polyester wastes, promoting a more circular approach for its EoL.
palavras-chave
POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE; IONIC LIQUIDS; DEPOLYMERIZATION; GLYCOLYSIS; TRANSPORT; SORPTION; PET
categoria
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Energy & Fuels; Materials Science
autores
Agostinho, B; Irska, I; Kwiatkowska, M; Szymczyk, A; Silvestre, AJD; Sousa, AF
nossos autores
Andreia Fernandes de Sousa
Investigador Principal
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Professor Catedrático
Beatriz Agostinho
Estudante de doutoramentoProjectos
European network of FURan based chemicals and materials FOR a Sustainable development (FUR4Sustain)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
agradecimentos
This work was supported by COST Action FUR4Sustain, CA18220, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) . This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDB/50011/2020) , UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDP/50011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020) , financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) . The FCT is acknowledged for the research contract to AFS (CEECINSTLA/00002/2022) and a doctorate grant to BA 2020.04495.BD (DOI 10.54499/2020.04495.BD) . BA thanks for an STSM grant under the framework of COST Action FUR4Sustain (CA18220) .