Catalyst selectively and sequentially deconstructs multiple polymers in mixed plastics into pristine monomers

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-recycling-plastics.html

"requires 94% less energy and 96% less fossil fuel... works for >30% of all plastics including composites and multilayer packaging... synthetic organocatalyst deconstructs at different temperatures: Polycarbonates at 266° F, polyurethanes at 320° F, polyethylene terephthalates at 356° F and polyamides at 410° F... works in 2 hours... other plastics, additives and associated materials such as cotton and plastic bags left intact and subsequently recovered... filtration removes impurities (pigments), then monomers, then catalyst, reused"

Related:

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https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-artificial-protein-capable-degrading.html

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https://phys.org/news/2023-11-scientists-hundreds-toxic-chemicals-recycled.html

Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
https://phys.org/news/2023-12-polyethylene.html

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https://phys.org/news/2024-01-scientists-loop-recycling-widely-plastics.html

Toxic compounds made safer smashing plastic bags with metal ball in chemical reactions
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/plastic-waste-chemical-reactions-metal-ball/