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Yang J, Li Z, Xu Q, Liu W, Gao S, Qin P, Chen Z, Wang A. Towards carbon neutrality: Sustainable recycling and upcycling strategies and mechanisms for polyethylene terephthalate via biotic/abiotic pathways. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2024; 3:117-130. [PMID: 38638172 PMCID: PMC11021832 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most ubiquitous engineering plastics, presents both environmental challenges and opportunities for carbon neutrality and a circular economy. This review comprehensively addressed the latest developments in biotic and abiotic approaches for PET recycling/upcycling. Biotically, microbial depolymerization of PET, along with the biosynthesis of reclaimed monomers [terephthalic acid (TPA), ethylene glycol (EG)] to value-added products, presents an alternative for managing PET waste and enables CO2 reduction. Abiotically, thermal treatments (i.e., hydrolysis, glycolysis, methanolysis, etc.) and photo/electrocatalysis, enabled by catalysis advances, can depolymerize or convert PET/PET monomers in a more flexible, simple, fast, and controllable manner. Tandem abiotic/biotic catalysis offers great potential for PET upcycling to generate commodity chemicals and alternative materials, ideally at lower energy inputs, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs, compared to virgin polymer fabrication. Remarkably, over 25 types of upgraded PET products (e.g., adipic acid, muconic acid, catechol, vanillin, and glycolic acid, etc.) have been identified, underscoring the potential of PET upcycling in diverse applications. Efforts can be made to develop chemo-catalytic depolymerization of PET, improve microbial depolymerization of PET (e.g., hydrolysis efficiency, enzymatic activity, thermal and pH level stability, etc.), as well as identify new microorganisms or hydrolases capable of degrading PET through computational and machine learning algorithms. Consequently, this review provides a roadmap for advancing PET recycling and upcycling technologies, which hold the potential to shape the future of PET waste management and contribute to the preservation of our ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Yang
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhiling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qiongying Xu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wenzong Liu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuhong Gao
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Peiwu Qin
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhenglin Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Aijie Wang
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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2
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Zhou S, Xu H, Wang S, Feng H, Hu Y, Zhang S. Low temperature and facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon derived from waste polyethylene terephthalate for efficient CO 2 capture. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:169856. [PMID: 38190916 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with high carbon content (>60 wt%) has shown great potential in the field of synthesizing carbon materials for CO2 capture, attracting increasing attention. Herein, an innovative strategy was proposed to synthesize nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon (PC) for CO2 capture using PET as precursor and sodium amide (NaNH2) as both nitrogen dopant and low-temperature activator. As-synthesized N-doped PC exhibited a significantly high micropore volume of 0.755 cm3/g and a rich content of N- and O-containing functional groups, offering ample active sites for CO2 molecules. Further, the adsorbents demonstrated excellent CO2 capture capacity, achieving 5.7 mmol/g (0 °C) and 3.3 mmol/g (25 °C) at 1 bar, respectively. This was primarily attributed to the synergistic effect of narrow micropores filling and electrostatic interactions. Moreover, as-synthesized PC exhibited rapid CO2 adsorption capability, and its dynamic adsorption process was effectively described using a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. After five consecutive cycles, PET-derived PC still maintained ~100 % of adsorption capacity. They also possessed good CO2/N2 selectivity and reasonable isosteric heat of adsorption. Therefore, as-synthesized nitrogen-doped PC is a promising CO2 adsorbent through low-temperature activation of carbonized PET with NaNH2. Such findings have substantial implications for waste plastic recycling and mitigating the greenhouse effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Haiyang Xu
- College of Advanced Materials Engineering, Jiaxing Nanhu University, Jiaxing 314001, China
| | - Shurong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Hongyu Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yanjun Hu
- Institute of Thermal and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
| | - Shicheng Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Liang X, Wang M, Ma D. One-Pot Conversion of Polyester and Carbonate into Formate without External H 2. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2711-2717. [PMID: 38237137 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The coconversion of two kinds of waste materials, plastics and CO2, into a single value-added product is an innovative and challenging endeavor that simultaneously achieves the upcycling of plastic waste and reduces CO2 emissions. Herein, we report a one-pot, two-step catalytic process for transforming polyesters, such as poly(glycolic acid), carbonate, and water, into sodium formate with a high yield of 79%, using a commercial Pd/C catalyst. This process involves the aqueous-phase reforming of polyester with water at 250-270 °C and the hydrogenation of NaHCO3 at 150 °C, utilizing H2 generated during the reforming process. Notably, no external H2 or other reactive reagents are required. This strategy can be applied for the coconversion of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and commercial biodegradable plastic bags with Na2CO3 obtained from CO2 capture via a NaOH solution, opening up a new path for "turning trash into treasure".
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Liang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Ding Ma
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Wang J, Wang G, Deng X, Luo M, Xu S, Jiang B, Yuan G, An S, Liu J. One-pot synthesis of novel mesoporous FeOOH modified NaZrH(PO 4) 2·H 2O for the enhanced removal of Co(II) from aqueous solution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:5912-5927. [PMID: 38133758 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
One-pot synthesis of a novel mesoporous hydroxyl oxidize iron functional Na-zirconium phosphate (FeOOH-NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O) composites was firstly characterized and investigated its Co(II) adsorption from aqueous solution. Compared to NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O (65.7 mg⋅g-1), the maximum Co(II) adsorption capacity of FeOOH-NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O was improved to be 95.1 mg⋅g-1. BET verified the mesoporous structures of FeOOH-NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O with a larger pore volume than NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O. High pH values, initial Co(II) concentration, and temperature benefited the Co(II) adsorption. Kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics indicated an endothermic, spontaneous chemisorption process. FeOOH-NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O has a better Co(II) adsorption selectivity than that of NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O. In particular, FeOOH-NaZrH(PO4)2·H2O exhibited an outstanding reusability after ten cycles of tests. The main possible mechanism for adsorbents uptake Co(II) involved in ion exchange, electrostatic interaction, and -OH, Zr-O bond coordination based on FTIR and XPS analysis. This work presents a feasible strategy to prepare novel modified zirconium phosphate composites for extracting Co(II) from solutions and providing a new insight into the understanding of Co(II) adsorption in the real nuclear Co(II)-containing wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Chengdu University of Technology, College of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangxi Wang
- Chengdu University of Technology, College of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqin Deng
- Sichuan Management and Monitoring Center Station of Radioactive Environment, Chengdu, 610039, People's Republic of China
| | - Maodan Luo
- Sichuan Management and Monitoring Center Station of Radioactive Environment, Chengdu, 610039, People's Republic of China
| | - Su Xu
- Sichuan Management and Monitoring Center Station of Radioactive Environment, Chengdu, 610039, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Jiang
- Sichuan Management and Monitoring Center Station of Radioactive Environment, Chengdu, 610039, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoyuan Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuwen An
- Chengdu University of Technology, College of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Liu
- Chengdu University of Technology, College of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
- Applied Nuclear Technology in Geosciences Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu University of Technology, 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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Yan M, Yang Y, Chen F, Hantoko D, Pariatamby A, Kanchanatip E. Development of reusable Ni/γ-Al 2O 3 catalyst for catalytic hydrolysis of waste PET bottles into terephthalic acid. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:102560-102573. [PMID: 37668784 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29596-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to efficiently recycle waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, this study aimed to enhance the hydrolysis process to convert PET bottle into valuable terephthalic acid (TPA) by developing effective and reusable Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. A series of Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by the impregnation method with different Ni loadings (5-15 wt%) and was characterized by various techniques including XRD, SEM-EDX, and N2 adsorption-desorption. The prepared catalysts were employed in the catalytic hydrolysis of PET under varied influencing factors, namely reaction temperature (220-280 °C), reaction time (20-60 min), and Ni loading. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the operating condition to produce the maximum TPA yield, and the optimal values were determined as follows: reaction temperature = 267.07 °C, reaction time = 48.54 min, and Ni loading = 12.90 wt%, giving the highest TPA yield of 97.06%. The R2, F-value, and P-value of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) were 0.9982, 424.96, and <0.0001, respectively, indicating a good fit of the model. The results from XRD and FTIR measurement of the produced TPA indicated the high purity and comparable chemical structures to the TPA standard. In addition, the 12.9Ni/Al catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity in repeated cycles of hydrolysis process of PET and could be regenerated by calcination to restore its catalytic activity. This finding could be a promising alternative for an effective TPA recovery from waste plastic bottles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Yan
- Institute of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
- Zhejiang Carbon Neutral Innovation Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Yayong Yang
- Institute of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Institute of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Dwi Hantoko
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Refining & Advanced Chemicals, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Agamuthu Pariatamby
- Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Ekkachai Kanchanatip
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Catalysis and Adsorption, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
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Hoang CN, Nguyen NT, Ta ST, Nguyen NN, Hoang D. Acidolysis of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Waste Using Succinic Acid under Microwave Irradiation as a New Chemical Upcycling Method. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:47285-47295. [PMID: 36570295 PMCID: PMC9773965 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A novel method of chemical upcycling of used poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles by acidolysis with succinic acid (SA) was performed under microwave irradiation. The long polyester chain of PET was efficiently fragmented into small molecules and oligomers, such as terephthalic acid and α,ω-dicarboxylic acid oligo(ethylene succinate-co-terephthalate) (OEST). Various input molar ratios of SA/PET from 1.0 to 2.5 were used, and the product mixtures were separated successfully. The recovered terephthalic acid can be reused as a basic chemical. The α,ω-dicarboxylic acid OEST was used as a curing agent for epoxy resin. The recovered SA can be reused for further PET acidolysis. Structures of OEST were identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The presence of succinic anhydride as a side product was confirmed by FTIR and ESI-MS analyses. The evaporation of SA and the formation of volatile succinic anhydride compete with the acidolysis of PET. The minimum SA/PET ratio of 1.0 was selected so that the acidolysis was effective and without the SA recovery step by MEK treatment. OEST-1.0 was used for curing diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. The structures and thermal properties of cured adducts were confirmed by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This chemical upcycling method of PET is eco-friendly without the use of a solvent and a catalyst for the reaction, and all materials were recovered and they could be reused for novel polymer preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuong N. Hoang
- Department
of Polymer Chemistry, University of Science,
Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam
National University, Ho Chi Minh
City700000, Vietnam
| | - Ngan T. Nguyen
- Department
of Polymer Chemistry, University of Science,
Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam
National University, Ho Chi Minh
City700000, Vietnam
| | - Sang T. Ta
- Department
of Polymer Chemistry, University of Science,
Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam
National University, Ho Chi Minh
City700000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Ngan Nguyen
- Department
of Polymer and Composite Materials, University
of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City700000, Vietnam
- Center
for Advancing Electronics Dresden (CFAED) and Faculty of Chemistry
and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität
Dresden, Dresden01062, Germany
| | - DongQuy Hoang
- Department
of Polymer and Composite Materials, University
of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam
National University, Ho Chi Minh
City700000, Vietnam
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