Dual closed-loop chemical recycling support sustainable mitigation of plastic pollution

Recently, the Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center demonstrated a green method to synthesize plastics from natural small thioctic acid (TA) monomers. This novel recycling system provides successful chemical using dual closed-loop process under mild operating conditions. Here, we discuss critical environmental sustainability dynamics of these systems and their potential support plastic circular economy. Plastic pollution is widespread affects wide range ecosystem types including atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial environments. an important driver global change due cascading effects on ecosystems, impacts safe drinking water crop productivity.1Jia L. Evans S. Linden S.V. Motivating actions mitigate pollution.Nat. Commun. 2019; 10: 4582Crossref PubMed Scopus (39) Google Scholar, 2Bank M.S. Ok Y.S. Swarzenski P.W. Microplastic’s role in antibiotic resistance.Science. 2020; 369: 1315Crossref 3Rillig M.C. Ryo M. Lehmann A. Aguilar-Trigueros C.A. Buchert Wulf Iwasaki Roy J. Yang G. The multiple factors driving soil functions microbial biodiversity.Science. 366: 886-890Crossref (186) Scholar By 2015, total waste was estimated be4Geyer R. Jambeck J.R. Law K.L. Production, use, fate all ever made.Sci. Adv. 2017; 3: e1700782Crossref (4364) 6,300 million metric tons (Mt) which only 21% incinerated or properly recycled while remaining either accumulated landfills released into environment.4Geyer Accordingly, at current rate production management, approximately 12,000 Mt destined for will be mismanaged by 2050.4Geyer Primary macroplastic particles (>5 mm) often degrade secondary microplastic (<5 mm >100 nm) nanoplastics (<100 causing negative array services.2Bank Scholar,3Rillig Microplastics are widely distributed throughout world’s ecosystems remote, high-elevated sites such as Mount Everest.5Napper I.E. Davies B.F.R. Clifford H. Elvin Koldewey H.J. Mayewski P.A. Miner K.R. Potocki Elmore A.C. Gajurel A.P. et al.Reaching New Heights Pollution—Preliminary Findings Everest.One Earth. 621-631Abstract Full Text PDF (109) Americans unknowingly consume >50,000 per year,6Cox K.D. Covernton G.A. H.L. Dower J.F. Juanes F. Dudas S.E. Human Consumption Microplastics.Environ. Sci. Technol. 53: 7068-7074Crossref (535) nanoplastic accumulation reported plants (i.e., Arabidopsis thaliana).7Sun X.D. Yuan X.Z. Jia Y. Feng L.J. Zhu F.P. Dong S.S. Liu Kong X. Tian Duan J.L. al.Differentially charged demonstrate distinct thaliana.Nat. Nanotechnol. 15: 755-760Crossref (241) ubiquitous distribution micro environment may accumulate aquatic food webs, threatening potentially human health.6Cox biogeochemical cycle nanoplastics8Bank Hansson Cycle: A Novel Holistic Paradigm Anthropocene.Environ. 7177-7179Crossref (74) implicates challenge. These findings not nature but also declaration “Plastic Wars” health. threats, access clean security, call coordinated monitoring, recovery, management programs supported sustainable investments, international cooperation, innovation. amplified its long residence time non-degradable persistence derived petrochemicals. From life perspective, biodegradable promising candidate economy that reduces burdens end product’s lifetime. Bio-based have recently gained viable alternative petroleum-based biodegradability carbon neutral characteristics. However, depolymerization negatively affect monomer quality during when degradation occurs. Prof. Ben (awarded 2016 Chemistry) East China University Science Technology Groningen Netherlands, invented two easily recyclable monomers precursors (Figure 1).9Zhang Q. Deng Shi C.-Y. B.L. Qu D.-H. Dual synthetic polymers intrinsically reconfigurable poly(disulfides).Matter. 2021; 4 (this issue): 1352-1364https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2021.01.014Abstract (29) Interestingly, this includes thermoplastic elastomers Poly(TA-M) mechanically robust ionic films Poly(TA-Na)—both were conditions.9Zhang work could ostensibly pave way efficient synthesizing simple, mild, organic solvent-free, low-cost supports efforts several relevant UN development goals (SDGs). Since utilization TA-based has largely occurred cities urban areas, proposed significantly accelerate mitigation achieve SDGs, namely SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities Communities 12 Responsible Production. Furthermore, societal problem effectively mitigated through application system, aid achieving 14 Life below Water 15 Land. TA polymer small-molecule synthesized plants, animals, humans. Poly(TA-Na) solvent-free heat-induced ring-opening polymerization (ROP) presence metal salts 120°C evaporation-induced ROP NaOH 80°C, respectively.9Zhang two-step treatment includes: (1) ring-closing simple inorganic base catalyst distilled preferred solvent, (2) direct acidification separation with slow addition acid.9Zhang operated low temperatures, making renewable energy low-grade solar thermal wind-power applicable heat sources. In addition, additives ions, etc.) separated treatment, beneficial practical applications process. Around 87% recovered pure form re-polymerization thereby creating fully plastics. large-scale 100 g experiment both verify industrial Considering effort, performance origin re-polymerized exhibited excellent consistent recoveries mechanical function even after completing three cycles recycling.9Zhang Compared established concept reprocessing, environmentally friendly more based natural, molecule. innovation critically science society it cost-effective strategy address holistic manner. Most importantly, evaluation overall requires comprehensive assessment (LCA) detailed inventory (LCI) data. Approximately, 44 LCA investigations, bio-based published 2011–2020,10Bishop Styles D. Lens P.N.L. Environmental comparison bioplastics petrochemical plastics: review methodological decisions.Resour. Conserv. Recycling. 168: 105451Crossref (48) question whether can reporting LCI data LCI. need incorporated standardized functional unit definitions boundaries. Collectively, strategic environmental, social, corporate governance (ESG) encourage unsustainable use poly(disulfides)Zhang al.MatterFebruary 4, 2021In BriefDeveloping repeatedly timely urgent task chemists. An made acid, molecule, found chemically polymers. Owing reversible disulfide bond, resulting poly(disulfides) efficiently basic aqueous solution. reproduced materials exhibit properties virgin monomers, showing recyclability great prospects toward future Full-Text Open Archive