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Scale-up upcycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate plastics to biodegradable polyglycolic acid plastics

Author

Listed:
  • Yuxiang Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fulai Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiu Chen

    (Pokfulam Road)

  • Edmund C. M. Tse

    (Pokfulam Road)

  • Rui Shi

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yong Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Electrochemical upcycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a promising solution to relieve plastic pollution. However, both the low current density and tedious separation process for target glycolic acid (GA) products in a flow electrolysis have hindered industrial-scale applications. Here, we show an interfacial acid-base microenvironment regulation strategy for the efficient oxidation of PET-derived ethylene glycol (EG) into GA using Pd-CoCr2O4 catalysts. Specifically, only a cell voltage of 1.25 V is needed to deliver a current density of ca. 290 mA cm–2. Moreover, a green separation method is developed to obtain high-purity GA (99%). 20 kg of waste PET is employed for the pilot plant test (stack electrolyzer: 324 cm2 × 5), which exhibits 93.0% GA selectivity at 280 mA cm–2 (current: 90.72 A) with a yield rate of 0.32 kg h–1. After polymerization, PGA yield can reach up to 87%, demonstrating the potential of this technique for large-scale PGA production from waste PET.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuxiang Wang & Fulai Liu & Jiu Chen & Edmund C. M. Tse & Rui Shi & Yong Chen, 2025. "Scale-up upcycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate plastics to biodegradable polyglycolic acid plastics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59667-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59667-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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