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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
Published on: December 16, 2022
Selective Sequential Depolymerization of Mixed Plastics Mediated by Photothermal Conversion
Yoon-Jung Jang1, Angela Milo1, Deepika Shingwekar1
1Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
Abstract:
Chemical recycling of plastics into monomers is a promising strategy to achieve a circular economy. However, selective depolymerization methods for mixed plastics are still underdeveloped. Herein, we report a selective and sequential depolymerization strategy for mixed plastics, including poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), polystyrene (PS), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), using photothermal conversion. We were able to selectively depolymerize PLLA into L-lactide in the presence of PS and PET. Then, PS was selectively depolymerized to styrene, followed by the depolymerization of PET into its monomer. Our protocol was carried out in one pot without any additional purification of the unreacted plastics at each stage. This method was successfully applied to mixtures of post-consumer waste plastic.
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