Polyethersulfones upcycling to luminescent materials by aminolysis

Abstract

Upcycling of polyethersulfone (PES), a high-performance polymer based on an aromatic-rich aryl-ether-based backbone, can advantageously yield both starting Bisphenol S (BPS) comonomer and valuable OLED derivatives, providing complete atom valorization strategy for PES waste. Deprotonated selected amines proved particularly efficient at depolymerizing PES at moderate temperatures (~ 120 °C). The recycled monomer yields validate the back-to-monomer chemical recycling method for industrial compliance. The OLED derivatives afforded by the same simple process can easily be isolated and promote an innovative upcycling strategy using polymer-to-valuable chemicals, a very relevant approach to help mitigate the ever-growing plastic waste accumulation.