Electrochemical Oxidation and Functionalization of Low‐Density Polyethylene

Rahimzadeh, Rasoul; Ortega‐Ramos, Jessica; Haque, Zenifar; Botte, Gerardine G.

doi:10.1002/celc.202300021

Title: Electrochemical Oxidation and Functionalization of Low‐Density Polyethylene

Journal Article · 12 April 2023 · ChemElectroChem

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202300021 · OSTI ID:1969781

Rahimzadeh, Rasoul ^[1]; Ortega‐Ramos, Jessica ^[1]; Haque, Zenifar ^[1];

^[1]

Chemical and Electrochemical Technology and Innovation (CETI) Laboratory Department of Chemical Engineering Texas Tech University Lubbock TX 79409 USA

Abstract Plastic waste is a serious environmental issue, and polyethylene (PE) is a significant component. The chemically inert nature of PE makes its recycling/upcycling process challenging. Thus, a novel method was demonstrated that enables the selective electrochemical functionalization and deconstruction of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) by using low‐cost transition metal electrocatalysts at room temperature (23±2 °C) and low cell voltage (±1 V). Three different electrode and electrolyte combinations were studied for the oxidation of LDPE: copper metal/copper (II) ions, nickel metal/nickel (II) ions, and stainless steel/iron (II) and (III) ions. The copper and nickel electrode/electrolyte pairs showed a promising capability for oxidation and chain‐scission of LDPE. In contrast, the stainless‐steel and iron electrode/electrolyte pair showed no activity towards LDPE oxidation or depolymerization. The electrolysis of LDPE offers a new vista for the depolymerization and upcycling of plastics, further understanding of the process is needed.

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Research Organization:: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0022307

OSTI ID:: 1969781

Journal Information:: ChemElectroChem, Journal Name: ChemElectroChem Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 10; ISSN 2196-0216

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Germany

Language:: English

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Title: Electrochemical Oxidation and Functionalization of Low‐Density Polyethylene

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