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Electrochemically Mediated Depolymerization of Polymers Synthesized by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Victoria Lohmann1, Lok Nga Poon2, Richard Whitfield1
1Laboratory for Sustainable Polymers, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 17, 2026
Summary
Electrochemical depolymerization offers precise control over polymer recycling by switching between active and dormant states. This method efficiently regenerates monomers from ATRP-synthesized polymers using an iron catalyst.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Recycling
Background:
- Chemical recycling of polymers is crucial for sustainability.
- Traditional depolymerization methods have limitations in control and efficiency.
- Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) synthesized polymers present unique recycling challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce electrochemically mediated depolymerization (EMD) as a novel method for polymer recycling.
- To demonstrate temporal control over depolymerization using an electrochemical switch.
- To compare EMD with existing depolymerization techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an iron catalyst for depolymerization of ATRP-synthesized polymers.
- Applying electrochemical potential to initiate and regulate the depolymerization process.
- Comparing monomer recovery rates under electrochemical, thermal, photo, and chemical depolymerization conditions.
Main Results:
- High percentages of monomers were successfully regenerated using EMD.
- Negligible depolymerization occurred without electrochemical input, enabling temporal control.
- EMD outperformed thermal, photo, and chemical methods in monomer recovery.
- New solvents were identified to facilitate lower-temperature depolymerization pathways.
Conclusions:
- Electrochemical mediation provides an effective external stimulus for polymer depolymerization.
- EMD offers superior control and efficiency compared to conventional methods.
- This approach significantly broadens the scope of chemical recycling technologies.
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