Block copolymers represent an exciting class of complex materials as they self-assemble into highly regular structures of nanoscopic dimensions. When prepared as thin films, such structures can be used for a variety of applications including lithographic masks or nanoporous membranes. Reported here are nanostructures in thin films of structurally analogous polybutadiene-block-poly(2-vinyl pyrid...

This study reviews the problems in the use and disposal of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and includes the concise background of virgin and recycled PET as well as their possible applications. The current state of knowledge with respect to PET recycling method is presented. Recycling of PET is the most desirable method for waste management, providing an opportunity for reductions in oil us...

A single-step, extrusion-based process to depolymerize poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is being investigated. The depolymeriza tion is effected by reacting ethylene glycol (EG) with the high molecular weight polymer (glycolysis). The ethylene glycol causes chain scission by attacking the ester linkages along the polymer backbone. The objective is to recover purified low molecular weight olig...

A lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus and cutinases from Thermobifida fusca and Fusarium solani hydrolysed poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics and films and bis(benzoyloxyethyl) terephthalate (3PET) endo-wise as shown by MALDI-Tof-MS, LC-UVD/MS, cationic dyeing and XPS analysis. Due to interfacial activation of the lipase in the presence of Triton X-100, a seven-fold increase of hydrolys...

Chemically Recyclable Plastics In article number 2210154, Ting-Han Lee, George Kraus, Eric Cochran, and co-workers report dihydroxyterephthalate (DHTE) as a “Trojan horse” co-unit in poly(ethylene terephthalate) to produce highly recyclable plastics. The DHTE enables chemical recycling via hydrolysis monomers pure water by acting an internal catalyst through neighboring group participation.