Depolymerization mechanisms and closed-loop assessment in polyester waste recycling

Jingjing Cao, Huaxing Liang, Jie Yang, Zhiyang Zhu, Jin Deng (), Xiaodong Li (), Menachem Elimelech () and Xinglin Lu ()
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Jingjing Cao: University of Science and Technology of China
Huaxing Liang: University of Science and Technology of China
Jie Yang: University of Science and Technology of China
Zhiyang Zhu: University of Science and Technology of China
Jin Deng: University of Science and Technology of China
Xiaodong Li: Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics
Menachem Elimelech: Yale University
Xinglin Lu: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Alcoholysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste to produce monomers, including methanolysis to yield dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and glycolysis to generate bis-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate (BHET), is a promising strategy in PET waste management. Here, we introduce an efficient PET-alcoholysis approach utilizing an oxygen-vacancy (Vo)-rich catalyst under air, achieving space time yield (STY) of 505.2 gDMT·gcat−1·h−1 and 957.1 gBHET·gcat−1·h−1, these results represent 51-fold and 28-fold performance enhancements compared to reactions conducted under N2. In situ spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory calculations, elucidates the reaction pathways of PET depolymerization. The process involves O2-assisted activation of CH3OH to form CH3OH* and OOH* species at Vo-Zn2+–O–Fe3+ sites, highlighting the critical role of Vo-Zn2+–O–Fe3+ sites in ester bond activation and C–O bond cleavage. Moreover, a life cycle assessment demonstrates the viability of our approach in closed-loop recycling, achieving 56.0% energy savings and 44.5% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions. Notably, utilizing PET textile scrap further leads to 58.4% reduction in initial total operating costs. This research offers a sustainable solution to the challenge of PET waste accumulation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50702-5

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