A stage-based framework for closed-loop recycling of polymeric composite membranes.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Polymeric composite membranes are crucial for separation technologies.
• Their complex, multilayer structure poses significant end-of-life (EOL) management challenges.
• Current recycling methods lack efficiency in component separation and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable, stage-based recycling strategy for composite membranes.
• To enable multicomponent recovery and closed-loop regeneration of membranes.
• To assess the environmental and economic viability of the proposed recycling process.

Main Methods:

• Sequential solvent extraction, catalytic depolymerization, and membrane recasting.
• Utilized real end-of-life (EOL) composite membranes as feedstock.
• Conducted life-cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic analysis (TEA).

Main Results:

• Regenerated membranes exhibited comparable mechanical robustness and separation performance to commercial products.
• The recycling process successfully recovered multiple components from EOL membranes.
• LCA and TEA indicated substantial reductions in environmental impacts and material costs.

Conclusions:

• The developed physical-chemical recycling strategy offers a viable route for sustainable management of polymeric composite waste.
• This approach facilitates the circular recovery of complex membrane components.
• The study bridges materials science and process engineering for practical waste stream solutions.