Selective Recycling of Mixed Polyesters via Heterogeneous Photothermal Catalysis

Abstract The selective recycling of mixed plastic wastes with similar structural units is challenging. While heterogeneous catalysis shows potential for selective recycling, challenges such as complex mass transfer at multiphase interfaces and unclear catalytic mechanisms have slowed progress. In this study, a breakthrough in recycling mixed polyester wastes is introduced using heterogeneous photothermal catalysis. By adding co‐solvents, the difficulties associated with multiphase interfacial mass transfer are overcome. Grain boundary (GB)‐rich CeO 2 photothermal catalysts are used to selectively glycolyze mixed poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) plastics into bisphenol A…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 22376152
• NS
  Natural Science Research of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China

  Award: 23KJB430032
• KT
  Key Technologies Research and Development Program

  Award: 2023YFC3903200