INS9-0144
Oxidative Upcycling of Polyolefins
Topic
S9. Polymer Technology for Sustainability
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
15:50 - 16:15
Room 201
Session Chairs
Jeyoung PARK
Presenter(s)
Shimei Xu (Sichuan University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Polyolefins account for more than 50% of global plastic production. However, their inherent chemical inertness makes efficient chemical recycling challenging. While conventional recycling methods, such as pyrolysis/catalytic pyrolysis, hydrogenation, and hydrocracking has been widely studied to produce hydrocarbon products1, oxidative recycling offers an alternative route by converting polyolefins into oxygen-containing valued chemicals such as alcohols and acids, new functional polymers or carbon-based materials2. Of these, the production of chemicals is commonly achieved via oxidative degradation, which typically proceeds via a free radical mechanism. The uncontrolled radical process makes it difficult to regulate the breakage and oxidation degrees. This presentation will cover recent advances in the oxidative degradation of polyolefins, with a focus on the latest progress from our research group. Specifically, the oxidative degradation of polyolefins into diacids, oligomers or new polymeric materials will be discussed3-5. Future perspectives on this approach will also be presented.
References
(1) Sun, J; Dong, J; Gao, L, et al. Catalytic Upcycling of Polyolefins. Chemical Reviews, 2024, 124 (16): 9457-9579.
(2) Che, Y; Wu, Y; Niu, Z. Oxidative degradation and upcycling of polyethylene wastes. Science China-Chemistry, 2025, 68 (2): 430-443.
(3) Shen, C; Wei, X; Chen, Q, et al. On-Demand Upcycling of Polyethylene Wastes to Recyclable Multifunctional Materials by LEGO Strategy. Ccs Chemistry, 2026, 8 (1): 568-578.
(4) Ye, P; Wei, X; Shen, C, et al. Iron(III)-Catalyzed C―H Hydroxylation of Low-Density Polyethylene Coupled with Short Chain Branching Growth. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 2025, 64 (26): e202503405.
(5) Zhang, Q; He, J; Wei, X, et al. Oxidative Upcycling of Polyethylene to Long Chain Diacid over Co-MCM-41 Catalyst. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 2024, 63 (33): e202407510.
References
(1) Sun, J; Dong, J; Gao, L, et al. Catalytic Upcycling of Polyolefins. Chemical Reviews, 2024, 124 (16): 9457-9579.
(2) Che, Y; Wu, Y; Niu, Z. Oxidative degradation and upcycling of polyethylene wastes. Science China-Chemistry, 2025, 68 (2): 430-443.
(3) Shen, C; Wei, X; Chen, Q, et al. On-Demand Upcycling of Polyethylene Wastes to Recyclable Multifunctional Materials by LEGO Strategy. Ccs Chemistry, 2026, 8 (1): 568-578.
(4) Ye, P; Wei, X; Shen, C, et al. Iron(III)-Catalyzed C―H Hydroxylation of Low-Density Polyethylene Coupled with Short Chain Branching Growth. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 2025, 64 (26): e202503405.
(5) Zhang, Q; He, J; Wei, X, et al. Oxidative Upcycling of Polyethylene to Long Chain Diacid over Co-MCM-41 Catalyst. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 2024, 63 (33): e202407510.
