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Fully lignocellulose-based PET analogues for the circular economy

Author

Listed:
  • Xianyuan Wu

    (University of Groningen)

  • Maxim V. Galkin

    (University of Groningen)

  • Tobias Stern

    (University of Graz, Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research)

  • Zhuohua Sun

    (Beijing Forestry University)

  • Katalin Barta

    (University of Groningen
    University of Graz)

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate is one of the most abundantly used polymers, but also a significant pollutant in oceans. Due to growing environmental concerns, polyethylene terephthalate alternatives are highly sought after. Here we present readily recyclable polyethylene terephthalate analogues, made entirely from woody biomass. Central to the concept is a two-step noble metal free catalytic sequence (Cu20-PMO catalyzed reductive catalytic fractionation and Raney Ni mediated catalytic funneling) that allows for obtaining a single aliphatic diol 4-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexan-1-ol in high isolated yield (11.7 wt% on lignin basis), as well as other product streams that are converted to fuels, achieving a total carbon yield of 29.5%. The diol 4-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexan-1-ol is co-polymerized with methyl esters of terephthalic acid and furan dicarboxylic acid, both of which can be derived from the cellulose residues, to obtain polyesters with competitive Mw and thermal properties (Tg of 70–90 °C). The polymers show excellent chemical recyclability in methanol and are thus promising candidates for the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Xianyuan Wu & Maxim V. Galkin & Tobias Stern & Zhuohua Sun & Katalin Barta, 2022. "Fully lignocellulose-based PET analogues for the circular economy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-30735-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30735-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter R. Stahel, 2016. "The circular economy," Nature, Nature, vol. 531(7595), pages 435-438, March.
    2. Eric M. Anderson & Michael L. Stone & Rui Katahira & Michelle Reed & Wellington Muchero & Kelsey J. Ramirez & Gregg T. Beckham & Yuriy Román-Leshkov, 2019. "Differences in S/G ratio in natural poplar variants do not predict catalytic depolymerization monomer yields," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bo Qin & Siyuan Liu & Zehuan Huang & Lingda Zeng & Jiang-Fei Xu & Xi Zhang, 2022. "Closed-loop chemical recycling of cross-linked polymeric materials based on reversible amidation chemistry," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Elena Subbotina & Layra Rodrigues Souza & Julie Zimmerman & Paul Anastas, 2024. "Room temperature catalytic upgrading of unpurified lignin depolymerization oil into bisphenols and butene-2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.

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