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PET Glycolysis to BHET Efficiently Catalyzed by Stable and Recyclable Pd-Cu/γ-Al2O3
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Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were engineered as stable, recyclable catalysts to convert waste PET into bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), a key monomer for chemical recycling. The MOF catalysts achieved high conversion efficiency and could be reused multiple times without significant loss of activity, improving the economics of PET glycolysis. This approach represents a promising route toward scalable, circular recycling of polyester plastics.
Glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a prospective way for degradation of PET to its monomer bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), providing the possibility for a permanent loop recycling. However, most reported glycolysis catalysts are homogeneous, making the catalyst difficult to recover and contaminating the products. Herein, we reported on the Pd-Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst and applied it in the glycolysis of PET as catalyst. The formed structure gave Pd-Cu/γ-Al2O3 a high active surface area, which enabled these micro-particles to work more efficiently. The PET conversion and BHET yield reached 99% and 86%, respectively, in the presence of 5 wt% of Pd-Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst within 80 min at 160 °C. After the reaction, the catalyst can be quickly separated by filtration, so it can be easily reused without significant loss of reactivity at least five times. Therefore, the Pd-Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst may contribute to an economically and environmentally improved large-scale recycling of PET fiber waste.
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