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Updated: Jul 1, 2025

Reductive Electropolymerization of a Vinyl-containing Poly-pyridyl Complex on Glassy Carbon and Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide Electrodes
Published on: January 30, 2015
Photocatalytic Upcycling and Depolymerization of Vinyl Polymers
Kostas Parkatzidis1, Hyun Suk Wang1, Athina Anastasaki1
1Department of Materials Science, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Photocatalytic upcycling and depolymerization of vinyl polymers have emerged as promising strategies to combat plastic pollution and promote a circular economy. This mini review critically summarizes current developments in the upcycling and degradation of vinyl polymers including polystyrene and poly(meth)acrylates. Of these material classes, polymethacrylates possess the unique possibility to undergo a photocatalytic depolymerization back to monomer under thermodynamically favourable conditions, thus presenting significant advantages over traditional thermal strategies. Our perspective on current formidable challenges and potential future directions are also discussed.
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