Heterogenous electromediated depolymerization of highly crystalline polyoxymethylene

Zhou, Yuting; Rodríguez-López, Joaquín; Moore, Jeffrey S.

doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39362-z

Title: Heterogenous electromediated depolymerization of highly crystalline polyoxymethylene

Journal Article · 09 August 2023 · Nature Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39362-z · OSTI ID:1994892

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Abstract Post-consumer plastic waste in the environment has driven the scientific community to develop deconstruction methods that yield valued substances from these synthetic macromolecules. Electrocatalysis is a well-established method for achieving challenging transformations in small molecule synthesis. Here we present the first electro-chemical depolymerization of polyoxymethylene—a highly crystalline engineering thermoplastic (Delrin®)—into its repolymerizable monomer, formaldehyde/1,3,5-trioxane, under ambient conditions. We investigate this electrochemical deconstruction by employing solvent screening, cyclic voltammetry, divided cell studies, electrolysis with redox mediators, small molecule model studies, and control experiments. Our findings determine that the reaction proceeds via a heterogeneous electro-mediated acid depolymerization mechanism. The bifunctional role of the co-solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) is also revealed. This study demonstrates the potential of electromediated depolymerization serving as an important role in sustainable chemistry by merging the concepts of renewable energy and circular plastic economy.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1994892

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 14; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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