Mechanochemical Degradation and Recycling of Synthetic Polymers

Abstract: The accumulation of plastic waste, due to lack of recycling, has led to serious environmental pollution. Although mechanical recycling can alleviate this issue, it inevitably reduces the molecular weight and weakens the mechanical properties of materials and is not suitable for mixed materials. Chemical recycling, on the other hand, breaks the polymer into monomers or small‐molecule constituents, allowing for the preparation of materials of quality comparable to that of the virgin polymers and can be applied to mixed materials. Mechanochemical degradation and recycling leverages the advantages of mechanical techniques, such as scalability and efficient energy use, to achieve chemical recycling. We summarize recent progress in mechanochemical degradation and recycling of synthetic polymers, including both commercial polymers and those designed for more efficient mechanochemical degradation. We also point out the limitations of mechanochemical degradation and present our perspectives on how the challenges can be mitigated for a circular polymer economy.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Mechanochemical Degradation and Recycling of Synthetic Polymers ; day:27 ; month:04 ; year:2023 ; extent:12 ; Angewandte Chemie / International edition. International edition ; (27.04.2023) (gesamt 12)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Zhou, Junfeng ; Hsu, Tze‐Gang ; Wang, Junpeng

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202300768
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023042815134733252915
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:53 AM CEST