Enzymatic recycling of thermoplastic polyurethanes: Synergistic effect of an esterase and an amidase and recovery of building blocks

Waste Management
Audrey MagninLuc Avérous

Abstract

Biological recycling of polyurethanes (PU) is a huge challenge to take up in order to reduce a large part of the environmental pollution from these materials. However, enzymatic depolymerization of PU still needs to be improved to propose valuable and green solutions. The present study aims to identify efficient PU degrading enzymes among a collection of 50 hydrolases. Screenings based on model molecules were performed leading to the selection of an efficient amidase (E4143) able to hydrolyze the urethane bond of a low molar mass molecule and an esterase (E3576) able to hydrolyze a waterborne polyester polyurethane dispersion. Degradation activities of the amidase, the esterase and a mix of these enzymes were then evaluated on four thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) specifically designed for this assay. The highest degradation was obtained on a polycaprolactone polyol-based polyurethane with weight loss of 33% after 51 days measured for the esterase. Deep cracks on the polymer surface observed by scanning electron microscopy and the presence of oligomers on the remaining TPU detected by size exclusion chromatography evidenced the polymer degradation. Mixing both enzymes led to an increased amount of urethane bonds hydrolysis of ...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 10, 2019·Polymers·Raúl Gómez-RojoSara Gutiérrez-González
Apr 8, 2020·Frontiers in Microbiology·Wing-Jin LiNick Wierckx
May 7, 2020·Frontiers in Microbiology·Jiakang RuYu Yang
Apr 16, 2020·Frontiers in Microbiology·María José Cárdenas EspinosaChristian Eberlein
Sep 10, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Laura ZucconiSolveig Tosi
Aug 9, 2020·Polymers·Aleksandra Kemona, Małgorzata Piotrowska
Nov 17, 2020·The Science of the Total Environment·Ayodeji AmobonyeSanthosh Pillai
Oct 27, 2020·Bioactive Materials·Sophie Wendels, Luc Avérous
Feb 26, 2021·ChemSusChem·Audrey MagninLuc Avérous
Mar 14, 2021·Biotechnology Advances·Jiawei LiuMin Jiang
May 26, 2021·The Science of the Total Environment·Sameh S AliJianzhong Sun
Jun 3, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Nikolina AtanasovaMargarita Kambourova
Jul 10, 2021·Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·Efstratios NikolaivitsJasmina Nikodinovic-Runic
Nov 7, 2019·Biotechnology Advances·Audrey MagninLuc Avérous
Sep 24, 2021·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Martín Vargas-SuárezHerminia Loza-Tavera

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