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Polymer Degradation Under Microwave Irradiation

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Microwave-assisted Polymer Synthesis

Part of the book series: Advances in Polymer Science ((POLYMER,volume 274))

Abstract

Development of advanced, environmentally friendly and energy-saving techniques for the chemical recycling of polymers is of paramount importance in the polymer industry. Understanding polymer degradation is the scientific key behind this technological challenge. Recent research on the application of microwave irradiation to polymer degradation is presented in this review. Results have shown the potential advantage of microwaves for complete polymer degradation in a significantly reduced time scale compared with conventional heating. The benefits of using microwave irradiation in the degradation of polyesters [e.g. poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polycarbonate], polyurethanes, polyamides, poly[alkyl (meth)acrylates], polystyrene and other polymers is presented. Moreover, the effect of microwave heating on the pyrolysis of commodity polymers such as polyethylene, is also discussed. Finally, the double role of materials used traditionally as solvents, reagents or catalysts, but now also as microwave absorbers in polymer degradation is explored.

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Abbreviations

AIBN:

2,2′-Azobisisobutyronitrile

DEG:

Diethylene glycol

DSC:

Differential scanning calorimetry

EG:

Ethylene glycol

HDPE:

High-density polyethylene

LDPE:

Low-density polyethylene

MW:

Microwave

PBMA:

Poly(butyl methacrylate)

PC:

Polycarbonate

PEG:

Poly(ethylene glycol)

PEMA:

Poly(ethyl methacrylate)

PET:

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

PG:

Propylene glycol

PMMA:

Poly(methyl methacrylate)

PP:

Polypropylene

PS:

Polystyrene

PTC:

Phase transfer catalyst

TGA:

Thermogravimetric analysis

TOMAB:

Trioctyl methyl ammonium bromide

TPA:

Terephthalic acid

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Dimitris S. Achilias

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  1. Dimitris S. Achilias
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Correspondence to Dimitris S. Achilias .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Organic Chemistry Supramolecular Chemistry group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Richard Hoogenboom

  2. Institute for Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany

    Ulrich S. Schubert

  3. Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH, Leoben, Austria

    Frank Wiesbrock

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Achilias, D.S. (2014). Polymer Degradation Under Microwave Irradiation. In: Hoogenboom, R., Schubert, U., Wiesbrock, F. (eds) Microwave-assisted Polymer Synthesis. Advances in Polymer Science, vol 274. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/12_2014_292

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