Chemically recyclable polyvinyl chloride-like plastics

Xun Zhang, Ximin Feng, Wenqi Guo, Chengjian Zhang () and Xinghong Zhang ()
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Xun Zhang: International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University
Ximin Feng: International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University
Wenqi Guo: International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University
Chengjian Zhang: International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University
Xinghong Zhang: International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the world’s third-most widely manufactured thermoplastic, but has the lowest recycling rate. The development of PVC-like plastics that can be depolymerized back to monomer contributes to a circular plastic economy, but has not been accessed. Here, we develop a series of chemically recyclable plastics from the reversible copolymerization of cyclic anhydride with chloral. The copolymerization is highly efficient through the anionic or cationic mechanism under mild conditions, yielding polyesters with tunable structure and properties from multiple commercial monomers. Notably, these polyesters manifest mechanical properties comparable to PVC and polystyrene. Meanwhile, such polyesters are flame-retardant like PVC due to high chloride content. Of significance, these polyesters can be depolymerized back to starting monomers at high temperatures owing to the reversibility of the copolymerization, leading to a circular economy. Overall, the readily available monomers, simple synthesis, advantageous performance, and practical recyclability make the polymers promising for applications.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52852-y

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