depolymerization
Polymer chain reversal
Depolymerization is the breakdown of a polymer into its component monomers or smaller molecular units—the reverse of polymerization.
The process occurs through heat, chemical reactions, or enzymatic action.
Industrial depolymerization allows recycling of plastics back to raw materials: Chemical depolymerization could make plastic truly circular.
Single molecular units
- fragmentsIncomplete broken pieces
- dimersTwo-part molecular compounds
- building blocksBasic units for construction
- subunitsComponent parts of larger units
styrene · lactic acid · amino acids · nucleotides · glucose · fatty acids · isoprene
Water-induced bond cleavage
- thermolysisDecomposition by heat
- scissionAct of cutting
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
enzymatic · photodegradation · oxidative · acidic · alkaline · pyrolysis · glycolysis · depolymerizing
Discarded polymer materials
- circularityState of being round
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
- reprocessingHandling material again
post-consumer · end-of-life · sustainability · biodegradation · composting
Measured speed or charge
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- catalystAgent enabling change
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
- thermalPertaining to warmth
enzymatic · equilibrium · yield · efficiency · selectivity
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
- nylonSynthetic textile polymer
polyester · polyurethane · polycarbonate · rubber · lignin · cellulose · chitin · proteins
monomers
Single molecular units
- fragmentsIncomplete broken pieces
- dimersTwo-part molecular compounds
- building blocksBasic units for construction
subunits · styrene · lactic acid · amino acids · nucleotides · glucose · fatty acids · isoprene
hydrolysis
Water-induced bond cleavage
- thermolysisDecomposition by heat
- scissionAct of cutting
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
catalysis · enzymatic · photodegradation · oxidative · acidic · alkaline · pyrolysis · glycolysis · depolymerizing · reversion
plastic waste
Discarded polymer materials
- circularityState of being round
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
reprocessing · post-consumer · end-of-life · sustainability · biodegradation · composting
rate
Measured speed or charge
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- catalystAgent enabling change
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
thermal · enzymatic · equilibrium · yield · efficiency · selectivity
polyethylene
Thermoplastic from ethylene gas
- polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- PETNuclear medicine imaging
nylon · polyester · polyurethane · polycarbonate · rubber · lignin · cellulose · chitin · proteins · starch
- decompositiondecomposition, rot, rotting, autolysis, putrefaction
- chemical breakdowndecomposition, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, combustion, photolysis
- polymer damagedegradation, embrittlement, cracking, photodegradation, weathering
- recyclingrecycle, recycling, recycling bin, recycle bin, recycling bins
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- divisiondivision, divide, divided, dividing, split
depolymerizationpolymerization
Monomers bonding into chains
synthesis · assembly · construction · building · building up