Nanoplastics in Depolymerization Products from Hydrolysis of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) in the Solid State
Sierra F Yost1, Peter M Guirguis1, Patricia Pereira1
1Robert V. Waltemeyer Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|February 6, 2026
Summary
Chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) via hydrolysis can unintentionally generate nanoplastics, particularly at lower temperatures (<180°C). This finding highlights potential challenges in plastic waste management and chemical recycling processes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) aims for circularity by depolymerizing plastic waste into monomers.
- Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drive lower reaction temperatures for PET hydrolysis.
- Recent studies suggest that hydrolysis near water's boiling point may produce nanoplastics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of nanoplastics during PET hydrolysis at temperatures below 180°C.
- To assess the impact of hydrolysis temperature on the characteristics of PET depolymerization products.
Main Methods:
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) hydrolysis was conducted at temperatures below 180°C.
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) was used to determine particle size.
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was employed to analyze the thermal properties and composition of the hydrolysis products.
Main Results:
- Nanoplastics were detected in PET hydrolysis products at temperatures up to 150°C for multiple PET sources.
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) thermograms showed evidence of small PET crystals at lower temperatures.
- Higher hydrolysis temperatures resulted in smaller particles, with DSC indicating the formation of small molecules and oligomers.
Conclusions:
- PET hydrolysis below 180°C can lead to the unintended generation of nanoplastics.
- Efforts to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in chemical recycling may inadvertently produce nanoplastics.
- The presence of nanoplastics in recycled products poses challenges for differentiation and quality control in plastic waste management.
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