Monomer recycling of virgin polycarbonate (PC), end-of-life PC and PC-ABS blends by Ni-catalyzed reductive depolymerization

Abstract

The reductive depolymerization of polycarbonate (PC) using affordable, heterogeneous and non-noble Ni catalysts was achieved, efficiently breaking down PC back to its monomer, bisphenol-A (BPA), in high yields. This breakthrough was accomplished under mild reductive conditions and in short reaction times. The method also showed remarkable success with end-of-life PC and PC-ABS blends.