Chemical recycling of polyurethane
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- Principal Investigator
Associate Professor / Daisuke AOKI
- Affiliation
Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University
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ORCID ID
- Principal Investigator
There is a need to develop an innovative recycling system that can protect the global environment and use plastics. Specifically, there is a need to develop a polymer circulation system that combines the "stability" of materials, "degradability" after use, and "economic rationality" that can be implemented in a simple process without the need for expensive catalysts. In this study, I aim to develop a recycling system that converts polyurethane, which consists of "urethane bonds," into monomers (amines and alcohols) and urea (fertilizer) by applying a decomposition reaction using ammonia water. This decomposition reaction using ammonia water, a familiar base, does not require expensive catalysts and can be carried out in a simple operation using water as a medium, so that I can expect economic rationality. Through this study, I will investigate the decomposition reaction of various polyurethanes with ammonia, clarify the chemical structure of polyurethanes that can be decomposed with ammonia, and elucidate the decomposition mechanism. Ultimately, I will establish design guidelines for new polyurethane materials that can be converted into fertilizer after use and a recycling system for them.
