Combining Organic and Inorganic Wastes to Form Metal–Organic Frameworks

Abstract

This paper reports a simple method to recycle plastic-bottle and Li-ion-battery waste in one process by forming valuable coordination polymers (metal–organic frameworks, MOFs). Poly(ethylene terephthalate) from plastic bottles was depolymerized to produce an organic ligand source (terephthalate), and Li-ion batteries were dissolved as a source of metals. By mixing both dissolution solutions together, selective precipitation of an Al-based MOF, known as MIL-53 in the literature, was observed. This material can be recovered in large quantities from waste and presents similar properties of purity and porosity to as-synthesis MIL-53. This work illustrates the opportunity to form hybrid porous materials by combining different waste streams, laying the foundations for an achievable integrated circular economy from different waste cycle treatments (for batteries and plastics).

“Functional upcycling” of polymer waste towards the design of new materials

“…Another promising development pathway is the combination of various waste sources; for instance, the TA from PET can be combined with the aluminum derived from waste lithium-batteries to synthesise MIL-53(Al). 667…”

“…Another promising development pathway is the combination of various waste sources; for instance, the TA from PET can be combined with the aluminum derived from waste lithium-batteries to synthesise MIL-53(Al). 667 According to the findings of this review, adsorbents and energy-storage devices are the most common application fields for upcycled polymers. However, a further increase in the added value is expected because plastic waste can be upcycled to more advanced materials such as selective adsorbents or separators for gases, energy production devices, sensors, and microfluidic systems.…”

Green Recycling Methods to Treat Lithium‐Ion Batteries E‐Waste: A Circular Approach to Sustainability

“…[ 200 ] Recently, a synthetic process has been developed for both the organic linker and metal centers based on only waste sources. [ 201 ] The process utilized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste bottles as a source for organic ligand and LIB waste for metal source. The release of BDC ligand in solution is caused by the depolymerization of PET waste under alkaline conditions.…”

Upcycling hazardous metals and PET waste-derived metal–organic frameworks: a review on recent progresses and prospects

“…58 Lithium-ion batteries and PET bottles were also used as feedstock for synthesizing MIL-53 with a surface area of 742 m 2 g −1 and 813 m 2 g −1 at 70 °C and 90 °C temperature, respectively; the materials possessed BET surface area that are close but lesser than those discussed in the literature for the as-synthesized materials (approximately 1100 m 2 g −1 ). 59…”