Issue 60, 2024

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

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.

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

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
08 apr 2024
Accepted
01 iyl 2024
First published
03 iyl 2024

Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7777-7780

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

S. Dinda, R. Bhavana, S. Behera and B. Mondal, Chem. Commun., 2024, 60, 7777 DOI: 10.1039/D4CC01609B

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