Depolymerization and Functionalization of Super Engineering Plastics

Boning Gu; Rui Huang; Yinsong Zhao; Xuefeng Jiang

doi:10.1007/s10118-024-3226-1

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Depolymerization and Functionalization of Super Engineering Plastics

REVIEW | Updated：2025-07-14

- Depolymerization and Functionalization of Super Engineering Plastics
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 43, Issue 6, Pages: 876-886(2025)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Hainan Institute of East China Normal University, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
  b.Hainan Institute of East China Normal University, State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
  c.State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- Author bio：
  
  yszhao@sklec.ecnu.edu.cn (Y.Z.)
  xfjiang@chem.ecnu.edu.cn (X.J.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-024-3226-1
  CLC：
- Received：02 August 2024，
  
  Revised：14 August 2024，
  
  Accepted：22 August 2024，
  
  Published Online：08 November 2024，
  
  Published：20 May 2025
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Gu, B.; Huang, R.; Zhao, Y.; Jiang, X. Depolymerization and functionalization of super engineering plastics. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 43, 876–886

Boning Gu, Rui Huang, Yinsong Zhao, et al. Depolymerization and Functionalization of Super Engineering Plastics[J]. Chinese journal of polymer science, 2025, 43(6): 876-886.
Gu, B.; Huang, R.; Zhao, Y.; Jiang, X. Depolymerization and functionalization of super engineering plastics. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 43, 876–886 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-024-3226-1.

Boning Gu, Rui Huang, Yinsong Zhao, et al. Depolymerization and Functionalization of Super Engineering Plastics[J]. Chinese journal of polymer science, 2025, 43(6): 876-886. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-024-3226-1.

摘要

In this interview

the latest achievements in the depolymerization and functionalization of super engineering plastics into valuable monomers were summarized

especially for PPS

sulfone-containing poly(arylene ether)s

and PEEK. The designs and developments of innovative and more sustainable strategies for the depolymerization of super engineering plastics are highly desirable.

Abstract

Chemical recycling/upcycling of plastics has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for the plastic circular economy

enabling the depolymerization and functionalization of plastics into valuable monomers and chemicals. However

studies on the depolymerization and functionalization of challenging super engineering plastics have remained in early stage and underexplored. In this review

we would like to discuss the representative accomplishments and mechanism insights on chemical protocols achieved in depolymerization of super engineering plastics

especially for poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS)

poly(aryl ether)s including poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)

polysulfone (PSU)

polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) and polyethersulfone (PES). We anticipate that this review will provide an overall perspective on the current status and future trends of this emerging field.

关键词

Keywords

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