Chemical Recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate

Systematic coverage of thermal, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic PET recycling pathways
 
Mechanical recycling of PET often yields lower-quality materials, driving demand for chemical approaches that recover monomers or upcycle waste into high-value products. Chemical Recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate: Methods and Principles provides a systematic treatment of depolymerization strategies, from established thermal catalytic reforming to emerging electrocatalytic and photocatalytic methods. Each chapter compares traditional and advanced processes, detailing mechanisms, catalyst innovations, and process efficiencies.
 
The book covers seven thermal catalytic pathways?glycolysis, methanolysis, hydrolysis, ammonolysis, aminolysis, acidolysis, and hydrogenolysis?before examining photo-driven and photoelectrochemical systems that harness solar energy for PET upcycling. Coverage extends to photothermal catalysis, enzyme-assisted processes, and integration with green energy systems. A concluding analysis addresses market trends, regulatory drivers, and future research directions for scaling chemical recycling.
 
Readers will also find:
 
* Detailed process comparisons and practical recommendations for selecting catalysts and optimizing depolymerization efficiency across multiple recycling pathways
* Coverage of upcycling PET waste into high-value chemicals and fuels using advanced catalytic and photochemical conversion strategies
* Analysis of solar-driven and electrochemical recycling systems integrating renewable energy with polymer waste valorization techniques
* Discussion of multi-waste management concepts that combine PET chemical recycling with broader solid waste treatment approaches
* Forward-looking assessment of regulatory drivers, market trends, and research directions shaping the future of PET chemical recycling
 
Designed for polymer chemists, environmental chemists, and plastics technologists, this reference delivers the mechanistic detail and process-level comparisons needed to evaluate, select, and advance chemical recycling strategies. Researchers and industry professionals working on sustainable polymer management will find actionable guidance on catalyst design, system integration, and upcycling pathways.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Thermal Catalytic Reforming
2.1 Alcoholysis
2.2 Hydrolysis
2.3 Ammonolysis and Aminolysis
2.4 Acidolysis
2.5 Hydrogenolysis
2.6 Conclusion
 
Chapter 3 Electrocatalytic Reforming
3.1 Electrocatalytic Reforming Path of PET
3.2 Advanced Coupled System
3.3 Conclusion
 
Chapter 4 Photocatalytic Reforming
4.1 Carbon Nitride Based Photocatalyst
4.2 Metal Oxide Based Photocatalyst
4.3 Metal Sulfide Based Photocatalyst
4.4 Other Advanced Photocatalysts
4.5 Conclusion
 
Chapter 5 Advanced Photo-driven/assisted Reforming System
5.1 Photothermal Reforming
5.2 Photo-electrocatalytic Reforming
5.3 Conclusion
 
Chapter 6 Conclusion and Outlook

Maiyong Zhu received his PhD degree from Yangzhou University (China) in 2011. In 2012, he started independent research work at school of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University (China), as an assistant professor. In 2015, he was promoted to associate professor. In 2020, he worked as a visiting professor at Kyoto University (Japan) under the support of the China Scholarship Council. Currently, the research of his group covers a wide range, including green strategies for synthesizing advanced functional materials for energy/environment related applications, valorization and recycling of solid wastes, and so on.

• By (author) Maiyong Zhu
• By (author) Zigao Wang