Giving superabsorbent polymers a second life as pressure-sensitive adhesives

November 9, 2021 Siddhant Goyal

Date of Publication: Jul 26, 2021

Author: P. Takunda Chazovachii, Madeline J. Somers & Anne J. McNeil

Summary:

For many polymers, recycling via mechanical processes is not feasible and these materials are destined for landfills or incineration. Here the authors show an open-loop recycling method for superabsorbent polymers that involves decrosslinking via hydrolysis, an optional chain-shortening step via sonication, and functionalizing via Fischer esterification.

Link to Full Reading:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-24488-9