Closed‐Loop Recycling of Poly(Imine‐Carbonate) Derived from Plastic Waste and Bio‐based Resources. (30th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saito, Keita; Eisenreich, Fabian; Türel, Tankut; Tomović, Željko
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 134:Number 43(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-09-30
• Subjects: Bio-Based Monomer -- Closed-Loop Recycling -- Organocatalysis -- Upcycling -- Vitrimer; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.202211806
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

Abstract: Closed‐loop recycling of polymers represents the key technology to convert plastic waste in a sustainable fashion. Efficient chemical recycling and upcycling strategies are thus highly sought‐after to establish a circular plastic economy. Here, we present the selective chemical depolymerization of polycarbonate by employing a vanillin derivative as bio‐based feedstock. The resulting di‐vanillin carbonate monomer was used in combination with various amines to construct a library of reprocessable poly(imine‐carbonate)s, which show tailor‐made thermal and mechanical properties. These novel poly(imine‐carbonate)s exhibit excellent recyclability under acidic and energy‐efficient conditions. This allows the recovery of monomers in high yields and purity for immediate reuse, even when mixed with various commodity plastics. This work provides exciting new insights in the design of bio‐based circular polymers produced by upcycling of plastic waste with minimal environmental impact. Abstract : Upcycling of polycarbonate (BPA‐PC) with a bio‐based vanillin derivative into novel dialdehyde monomer DVEC is shown. DVEC was further polymerized by using primary amines into high‐performance poly(imine‐carbonate)s. These modular polymers are reprocessable and chemically recyclable under acidic and energy‐efficient conditions, thereby enabling a closed‐loop recycling scheme.