From persistent polymers to safe molecules.
Last updated: 2025-10-25
Most ocean plastics fragment but don't fully mineralize. We target catalyzed depolymerization of PET-like polymers into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol under seawater conditions—safely and measurably.
The challenge is kinetics at low temperatures, salinity effects, and avoiding harmful by-products.
PET contains hydrolysable ester linkages. Enzymatic hydrolysis (PETase/MHETase) or photocatalytic oxidation can reduce polymer mass to monomers.
Rate-limiting factors include crystallinity (χ), accessible surface area, Arrhenius temperature dependence, and salt inhibition.
Turning modeled kinetics into verifiable breakdown certificates lets labs and agencies compare candidates on equal footing—rate, safety, and reproducibility.