Work

Rapid Microwave-Assisted Chemical Recycling of Poly(p-Phenylene Terephthalamide)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Back-to-monomer chemical recycling of polymers is crucial in achieving a circular plastics economy. Herein, we report the rapid microwave-assisted depolymerization of poly( p -phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), also known as Twaron or Kevlar. The alkaline hydrolysis of PPTA was conducted in a microwave reactor at temperatures ranging from 240 to 260 °C with reaction times of 1–15 min. The highest conversion (96%) was found after 15 min at 260 °C. The resulting monomers terephthalic acid and p -phenylenediamine were successfully purified (>99% purity) in good yields using extraction and precipitation methods. This work presents the fastest depolymerization of PPTA to date under relatively mild conditions, thereby encouraging a circular value chain for PPTA.

Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c17791

Authors: Joël Benninga, Bert Gebben, Rudy Folkersma, Vincent S. D. Voet, Katja Loos

Institutions: University of Groningen, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Teijin (Netherlands), Teijin (Japan)

Language: English

Topic: Polymer crystallization and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500