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Degradation mechanisms of organic compounds in molten hydroxide salts: a radical reaction yielding H2 and graphite
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Researchers found that treating plastics like polyethylene in molten hydroxide salts at 400°C proceeds via a radical mechanism rather than oxidation, producing recoverable graphite and hydrogen gas without CO2 emissions, opening a new carbon-free route for plastic recycling.
Molten salts are used in various waste treatments, such as recycling, recovery or making inert. Here, we present a study of the degradation mechanisms of organic compounds in molten hydroxide salts. Molten salt oxidation (MSO) using carbonates, hydroxides and chlorides is known for the treatment of hazardous waste, organic material or metal recovery. This process is described as an oxidation reaction due to the consumption of O2 and formation of H2O and CO2. We have treated various organic products, carboxylic acids, polyethylene and neoprene with molten hydroxides at 400 °C. However, the reaction products obtained in these salts, especially carbon graphite and H2 without CO2 emission, challenges the previous mechanisms described for the MSO process. Combining several analyses of the solid residues and the gas produced during the reaction of organic compounds in molten hydroxides (NaOH-KOH), we demonstrate that these mechanisms are radical-based instead of oxidative. We also show that the obtained end products are highly recoverable graphite and H2, which opens a new way of recycling plastic residues.
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