Liquid alloy-driven ambient upcycling of fluoropolymer waste
Abstract
The chemical upcycling of fluoropolymer waste, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), has been severely hampered by the harsh thermal conditions required to cleave the highly stable carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds. Here, we report a contact-electro-catalysis-induced self-propagating reaction (CEC-SPR) strategy that enables efficient cleavage of the robust C-F bonds in PTFE under ambient conditions. By employing a highly reactive NaK alloy, which reacts with PTFE through the exothermic Wurtz defluorination reaction, we facilitate the chemical recycling of PTFE into fluorine-doped carbon materials and metal fluorides at room temperature. Our results provide a new conceptual strategy for the upcycling of PTFE plastic waste into functionally useful carbon materials and inorganic fluoride products.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Inorganic Fluorides and Related Compounds
Fluoride Effects and Removal
Publication details
- Journal / source
- National Science Review
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 14
- Pages
- nwag359–nwag359
- Publication date
- 11 June 2026
- Language
- EN