Scientific Achievement
Foundry researchers have created a new polymer that can be recycled back into its original monomers, from mixed waste streams and with additives present, and then re-made into the same or new products.
Significance and Impact
The new poly(diketoenamine)s, or PDKs, are easy to make and can be recycled and re-manufactured without loss of performance. PDKs could turn plastic into a “circular” material that is infinitely recyclable, incentivizing its reuse and keeping it out of our landfills and oceans.
Research Details
- PDK monomers easily “click” together into polymers with water as the only by-product.
- The polymers can be broken down using strong acids, allowing researchers to separate pure monomers from pigments or other additives.
- Recovered monomers can be re-manufactured into the same plastic without loss of performance or appearance or upcycled into higher value plastics with added features.
P.R. Christensen, A.M. Scheuermann, K.E. Loeffler, B.A. Helms. Nat. Chem.. 2019 11, 442-448. DOI: 10.1038/s41557-019-0249-2
See this work highlighted on the Department of Energy website!
