Metal-free electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastic to C2 products

Soumitra Dinda; R. Bhavana; Snehanjali Behera; Biswajit Mondal

doi:10.1039/d4cc01609b

Metal-free electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastic to C₂ products

Soumitra Dinda, R. Bhavana, Snehanjali Behera, Biswajit Mondal

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most used polymers, but the non-degradable and persistent nature of PET waste in the environment is a global menace. Hence upcycling PET waste becomes indispensable. Herein, we introduce the first metal-free electrochemical-upcycling of PET into value-added chemicals and H₂ fuel using an organo-electrocatalyst (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO). Electrolysis at pH 10 produces glycolate and oxalate exclusively while at pH 14, over-oxidation and subsequent C-C bond cleavage produce formate and carbonate as well. Tuning the rate and product selectivity via pH regulation with mechanistic insight displays a sustainable route to implement waste PET recycling.

Original language	English
Journal	Chemical Communications
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cc01609b
State	Accepted/In press - 1 Jan 2024
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Catalysis
Ceramics and Composites
General Chemistry
Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Metals and Alloys
Materials Chemistry

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10.1039/d4cc01609b

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abstract = "Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most used polymers, but the non-degradable and persistent nature of PET waste in the environment is a global menace. Hence upcycling PET waste becomes indispensable. Herein, we introduce the first metal-free electrochemical-upcycling of PET into value-added chemicals and H2 fuel using an organo-electrocatalyst (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO). Electrolysis at pH 10 produces glycolate and oxalate exclusively while at pH 14, over-oxidation and subsequent C-C bond cleavage produce formate and carbonate as well. Tuning the rate and product selectivity via pH regulation with mechanistic insight displays a sustainable route to implement waste PET recycling.",

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AU - Dinda, Soumitra

AU - Bhavana, R.

AU - Behera, Snehanjali

AU - Mondal, Biswajit

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N2 - Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most used polymers, but the non-degradable and persistent nature of PET waste in the environment is a global menace. Hence upcycling PET waste becomes indispensable. Herein, we introduce the first metal-free electrochemical-upcycling of PET into value-added chemicals and H2 fuel using an organo-electrocatalyst (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO). Electrolysis at pH 10 produces glycolate and oxalate exclusively while at pH 14, over-oxidation and subsequent C-C bond cleavage produce formate and carbonate as well. Tuning the rate and product selectivity via pH regulation with mechanistic insight displays a sustainable route to implement waste PET recycling.

AB - Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most used polymers, but the non-degradable and persistent nature of PET waste in the environment is a global menace. Hence upcycling PET waste becomes indispensable. Herein, we introduce the first metal-free electrochemical-upcycling of PET into value-added chemicals and H2 fuel using an organo-electrocatalyst (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO). Electrolysis at pH 10 produces glycolate and oxalate exclusively while at pH 14, over-oxidation and subsequent C-C bond cleavage produce formate and carbonate as well. Tuning the rate and product selectivity via pH regulation with mechanistic insight displays a sustainable route to implement waste PET recycling.

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JF - Chemical Communications

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Metal-free electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastic to C₂ products

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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