Publication
Title
Multistage chemical recycling of polyurethanes and dicarbamates : a glycolysis–hydrolysis demonstration
Author
Abstract
The use of polyurethanes and, therefore, the quantity of its scrap are increasing. Considering the thermoset characteristic of most polyurethanes, the most circular recycling method is by means of chemical depolymerization, for which glycolysis is finding its way into the industry. The main goal of polyurethane glycolysis is to recover the polyols used, but only limited attempts were made toward recovering the aromatic dicarbamate residues and derivates from the used isocyanates. By the split-phase glycolysis method, the recovered polyols form a top-layer phase and the bottom layer contain transreacted carbamates, excess glycol, amines, urea, and other side products. The hydrolysis of carbamates results in amines and CO2 as the main products. Consequently, the carbamates in the bottom layer of polyurethane split-phase glycolysis can also be hydrolyzed in a separate process, generating amines, which can serve as feedstock for isocyanate production to complete the polyurethane material cycle. In this paper, the full recycling of polyurethanes is reviewed and experimentally studied. As a matter of demonstration, combined glycolysis and hydrolysis led to an amine production yield of about 30% for model systems. With this result, we show the high potential for further research by future optimization of reaction conditions and catalysis.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Sustainability
Publication
2021
ISSN
2071-1050
DOI
10.3390/SU13063583
Volume/pages
13 :6 (2021) , 13 p.
Article Reference
3583
ISI
000645766700001
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
CycloPUR – Fundamental insights in reversible polymerization of polyurethanes.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 23.03.2021
Last edited 21.11.2024
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