Trends in Polymer Degradation Across All Scales

Abstract

The development of sustainable plastic materials will be flanked with conscious resource management, waste recovery frameworks, and social change. Nonetheless, developing strategies toward controlled polymer degradation remains a key challenge—whether as a failsafe mechanism for materials that escape the resource recovery cycle, or where distinct degradation pathways are required for specific applications such as in the biomedical realm. This perspective highlights recent trends, challenges, and future strategies on three levels: 1) On the materials level, by the incorporation of enzymes into polymer materials that catalyze polymer degradation under benign conditions; 2) On the domain level, crystalline segments of polymer materials are often inert, even to enzymatically catalyzed degradation. Gaining an understanding of the mode of interaction between enzymes and polymer chains is key to controlling degradation of all polymer morphologies within materials. Processive depolymerization mechanisms, where the enzyme binds polymer chain ends and depolymerizes along the chain are extremely promising for efficient polymer degradation; 3) On the molecular level, where polyesters exhibit enzymatic targets of ester bonds through their polymer backbone, poly(alkene)s c of all carbon backbones. To enable degradation of this most abundant class of polymers, strategies must be developed to incorporate enzymatic targets into the backbone.

Enzymes’ Power for Plastics Degradation

“…In this regard, and although innovative approaches in this area have been recently reported, pyrolysis is still viewed as a downcycling and not as recycling or upcycling method, as the energetic, environmental, and commercial viability of this process have been questioned. These recycling technologies have been reviewed, discussing possibilities to increase the efficiency of used catalysts or polymer functionalization prior to the thermolysis process. ,− …”

Boosting Degradation of Biodegradable Polymers

“…Thermal stability of enzymes due to thermal needed conditions for processing is being explored and reports shows a need for improvement. [121,122]…”

Special Issue: Enabling Research in Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging

“…The properties of plastics mean they will continue to play a role in society for the foreseeable future, and we believe that the growing appreciation of sustainability and circularity at a global level will see the design and development of novel processes and products involving polymers included in next generation plastics. [19][20][21] Understanding plastic stock and flows at a global level 22,23 underpins the effective management of these resources within a circular economy. [24][25][26] We hope this collection inspires scholars from a range of disciplinary backgrounds to engage with the sustainability and circularity agenda.…”

“…The articles in the special issue highlight some of the challenges and opportunities encountered with plastic in consumer culture. The properties of plastics mean they will continue to play a role in society for the foreseeable future, and we believe that the growing appreciation of sustainability and circularity at a global level will see the design and development of novel processes and products involving polymers included in next generation plastics 19–21 . Understanding plastic stock and flows at a global level 22, 23 underpins the effective management of these resources within a circular economy 24–26 .…”