Chemical recycling to monomer: thermodynamic and kinetic control of the ring-closing depolymerization of aliphatic polyesters and polycarbonates

Abstract

The thermodynamic equilibrium between ring-opening polymerization and ring-closing depolymerization is influenced by monomer–solvent–polymer interactions, an effect that can be utilized to promote chemical recycling to monomer. Here, the influence of monomer structure on this solvent effect has been investigated, showing that the chemical structure of the monomer influences the power of the solvent to supress the ceiling temperature. The study also demonstrates how catalyst selectivity can be utilized to obtain selective ring-closing depolymerization of one component of a polymer blend, even when the thermodynamics dictate otherwise.