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Related Concept Videos

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

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The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

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Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...
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Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
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Toward polymer upcycling-adding value and tackling circularity.

LaShanda T J Korley1,2,3, Thomas H Epps1,2,3, Brett A Helms4

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Chemical and polymer upcycling offer innovative solutions to the global plastics waste crisis by overcoming limitations of traditional recycling. These advanced methods promote circularity and reduce environmental impact, paving the way for next-generation materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Modern reliance on low-cost, disposable plastics has created a significant global waste crisis.
  • Traditional mechanical recycling methods often lead to reduced polymer properties, limiting their effectiveness.
  • The heterogeneity of plastic waste poses challenges for efficient recycling and resource recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore advanced recycling and upcycling strategies for polymers to address the plastic waste crisis.
  • To investigate methods that enable circularity in polymer lifecycles.
  • To highlight the potential of polymer upcycling for lower-energy pathways and reduced environmental impact.

Main Methods:

  • Review of chemical recycling and upcycling approaches for polymers.
  • Analysis of separation strategies and macromolecular design for closed-loop recycling.
  • Evaluation of transformative processes for shifting the polymer life-cycle landscape.

Main Results:

  • Chemical recycling and upcycling can enable circularity through advanced separation and chemistry.
  • Polymer upcycling offers potentially lower-energy pathways compared to traditional recycling.
  • These strategies can mitigate property reductions associated with mechanical recycling.

Conclusions:

  • Chemical recycling and upcycling are vital strategies for managing plastic waste and achieving circularity.
  • Advanced polymer design and transformative processes are key to overcoming current recycling limitations.
  • Industrial adoption of these approaches is crucial for addressing the plastic waste crisis and advancing materials design.