Ionic-Liquid-Mediated Deconstruction of Polymers for Advanced Recycling and Upcycling

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Author(s)Christoff-Tempesta, Ty
Author(s)Epps, Thomas H. III
Date Accessioned2023-10-17T18:25:41Z
Date Available2023-10-17T18:25:41Z
Publication Date2023-08-15
DescriptionThis article was originally published in ACS Macro Letters. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00276. Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
AbstractIonic liquids (ILs) are a promising medium to assist in the advanced (chemical and biological) recycling of polymers, owing to their tunable catalytic activity, tailorable chemical functionality, low vapor pressures, and thermal stability. These unique physicochemical properties, combined with ILs’ capacity to solubilize plastics waste and biopolymers, offer routes to deconstruct polymers at reduced temperatures (and lower energy inputs) versus conventional bulk and solvent-based methods, while also minimizing unwanted side reactions. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the use of ILs as catalysts and mediators in advanced recycling, with an emphasis on chemical recycling, by examining the interplay between IL chemistry and deconstruction thermodynamics, deconstruction kinetics, IL recovery, and product recovery. We also consider several potential environmental benefits and concerns associated with employing ILs for advanced recycling over bulk- or solvent-mediated deconstruction techniques, such as reduced chemical escape by volatilization, decreased energy demands, toxicity, and environmental persistence. By analyzing IL-mediated polymer deconstruction across a breadth of macromolecular systems, we identify recent innovations, current challenges, and future opportunities in IL application toward circular polymer economies.
SponsorThe authors are grateful for financial support from the Army Research Office under Cooperative Agreement Number W911NF-22-2-0257 during the writing of this manuscript. T.H.E. also acknowledges the Allan and Myra Ferguson Distinguished Professorship in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering for additional support. The views and conclusions herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Office or the U.S. Government.
CitationChristoff-Tempesta, Ty, and Thomas H. III Epps. “Ionic-Liquid-Mediated Deconstruction of Polymers for Advanced Recycling and Upcycling.” ACS Macro Letters 12, no. 8 (August 15, 2023): 1058–70. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00276.
ISSN2161-1653
URLhttps://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/33557
Languageen_US
PublisherACS Macro Letters
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Keywordsbiopolymers
Keywordsplastics
Keywordspolymers
Keywordsrecycling
Keywordssolvents
TitleIonic-Liquid-Mediated Deconstruction of Polymers for Advanced Recycling and Upcycling
TypeArticle
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