Electrochemical Benzylic Functionalization of Polystyrene via NHPI-Mediated PINO Capping for Low-Energy Depolymerization
발표자
이동준 (서강대학교)
연구책임자
김형준 (서강대학교)
공동저자
이동준 (서강대학교), 김형준 (서강대학교)
초록
내용
Chemical recycling of polystyrene (PS) is hindered by the exceptional stability of its carbon–carbon backbone, requiring energy-intensive depolymerization conditions. Copolymerization with weak-link monomers lowers activation temperatures but cannot be applied to commodity PS, highlighting the need for a post-synthetic activation strategy. Here, we report an electrochemical approach that selectively activates commercial PS without modifying its polymerization pathway. Electrochemical oxidation of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) generates phthalimide N-oxyl (PINO) radicals that abstract benzylic hydrogen atoms, followed by radical recombination to form PINO-capped PS. FTIR and NMR confirm successful incorporation, and thermogravimetric analysis shows accelerated mass loss under identical isothermal conditions, indicating a reduced depolymerization barrier.