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Natural depolymerization of waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) by neutral hydrolysis in marine water
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Researchers studied how PET plastic — commonly used in water bottles and fishing nets — breaks down in seawater through a chemical process called hydrolysis, finding that metal ions in the ocean act as natural catalysts. Their model estimates that in tropical ocean waters, PET could be fully broken down in as little as 72 years, though this process ultimately releases smaller plastic and chemical fragments.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most widely used materials for food packaging and fishing nets. After use it become waste and, due to poor collection, most will be found floating in marine waters. This paper presents the results of a study of PET depolymerization by hydrolysis. We observed that marine water is a perfect reactant because it contains a multitude of metal ions that act as catalysts. A first-order kinetic model was developed and experimental data fitted to it. An activation energy of 73.5 kJ/mole and a pre-exponential factor of 5.33 × 107 h-1 were obtained. Considering that the global ocean is a huge batch reactor operating under isothermal conditions, the solution of the mathematical model shows that in tropical regions only 72 years is needed for total and only 4.5 years for 50% PET conversion.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.