Catalytic Pyrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste
Summary
Catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste has emerged as a versatile route to reclaim monomers and produce fuels from one of the most ubiquitous polyester plastics. Under controlled heating, PET undergoes thermal scission of ester bonds, leading to primary fragments such as terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol or further cracked into aromatics and light hydrocarbons. Introduction of solid catalysts lowers reaction temperatures, steers selectivity and enhances deoxygenation by promoting hydrogen transfer and acid-catalysed cracking. Typical catalysts include microporous zeolites, metal chlorides and supported noble metals, each dictating distinct reaction pathways and product spectra. Process parameters such as temperature, catalyst type, steam atmosphere and residence time govern yield distribution, minimise char formation and suppress undesirable byproducts. This approach aligns with circular-economy goals by transforming waste streams into chemical feedstocks, monomers for repolymerisation or fuel-compatible hydrocarbons. Advances in catalytic design aim to maximise terephthalic acid recovery and optimise conversion to value-added aromatics, underscoring global efforts to decarbonise plastic recycling infrastructure and mitigate environmental impacts of PET accumulation.
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Catalytic Pyrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate waste across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Catalytic pyrolysis: Thermal decomposition of polymers in the presence of a catalyst to yield smaller molecules and value-added products.
Zeolite (ZSM-5): A crystalline microporous aluminosilicate used as a solid acid catalyst to direct cracking and isomerisation reactions.
Terephthalic acid (TPA): An aromatic dicarboxylic acid produced by depolymerisation of PET, serving as a monomer for repolymerisation or chemical feedstock.
Deoxygenation: Removal of oxygen atoms from organic molecules to improve fuel quality and reduce oxygenated byproducts.
Steam-assisted pyrolysis: A variant of pyrolysis conducted in the presence of steam to modify reaction pathways, enhance heat transfer and control char formation.
Hydrogen transfer: A reaction mechanism in which hydrogen shifts between molecules or reaction intermediates, facilitating deoxygenation and moderating cracking severity.
References
- Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) with Zeolite and Nickel Chloride. Polymers (2020).
- Pyrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate over Carbon-Supported Pd Catalyst. Catalysts (2020).
- Catalytic Steam-Assisted Pyrolysis of PET for the Upgrading of TPA. Materials (2023).
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