Cited by 709biodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesPolymer crystallization and propertiesPolymer composites and self-healing

A synthetic polymer system with repeatable chemical recyclability

Zhu, Jian-Bo, Watson, Eli M., Tang, Jing, Chen, Eugene Y.-X.·2018·Science

Abstract

Recycle, recycle, recycle: Some polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate in soft drink bottles, can be depolymerized back to the starting monomers. This makes it possible to repolymerize true virgin material for repeated use. Zhu et al. developed a polymer based on a five-membered ring cyclic monomer derived from γ-butyrolactone that could be produced at ambient temperature and mild conditions (see the Perspective by Sardon and Dove). The high-molecular-weight polymer exhibited high crystallinity and thermal stability. However, at hot enough conditions, or at lower temperatures in the presence of a zinc chloride catalyst, the polymer could be returned to its starting monomers and thus recycled into new material. Science , this issue p. 398 ; see also p. 380

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.aar5498

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54 of 54 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Zhu, J.-B., Watson, E. M., Tang, J., & Chen, E. Y.-X.
Affiliations
Colorado State University (US)
Corresponding author
Chen, Eugene Y.-X.
Venue
Science
Published
2018-04-27
Volume
360
Issue
6387
Pages
398-403
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2801649829
Cited by
709
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 55 · 2025: 122 · 2024: 99 · 2023: 119 · 2022: 110 · 2021: 76 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 24
FWCI
16.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (1664915)
  • The W. M. Keck Foundation
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer crystallization and properties
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer composites and self-healing
Keywords
chemically recyclable polymers, gamma-butyrolactone, ring-opening polymerization, solvent-free polymerization, room-temperature polymerization, thermal decomposition, chemolysis, monomer recovery, circular economy, crystallinity, thermal stability

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