Ronkay, Ferenc and Slezák, Emese and Gere, Dániel and Lukács, Nóra and Gyalai-Korpos, Miklós and Molnár, Attila Dávid and Bordácsné Bocz, Katalin (2025) Thermoanalytical approach to assess riverine PET litter and its recycling potential. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 15. No.-15673. ISSN 2045-2322
|
Text
s41598-025-94925-y.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
In this proof-of-concept study, a thermoanalytical method based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is proposed to quantitatively link the crystallisation dynamics of bottle-grade poly(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET) with its degradation state. The study uniquely simulates long-term sunlight exposure through controlled artificial ageing of PET bottles in a Xenon chamber, with degradation levels accurately determined via intrinsic viscosity (IV) measurements. Following degradation, DSC analysis was conducted, and the complex melting endotherms observed during the post-isothermal crystallisation heating phase were deconvoluted into sub-peaks using the Fraser-Suzuki function. A novel discovery was made: a specific sub-peak exhibited a melting temperature with a strong, linear relationship to the molecular chain length of PET, providing a precise indicator of polymer degradation. This correlation represents a significant advancement in the field, as it was successfully applied to PET litter samples collected from floodplains in Hungary within the catchment area of the Tisza River, enabling accurate estimation of environmental degradation levels. Moreover, based on the determined IV ranges of the riverine PET bottles, we propose targeted recycling strategies for this pervasive pollutant, with a comprehensive evaluation of reprocessing outcomes. These findings open new avenues for assessing polymer degradation in environmental and industrial contexts, highlighting the method’s potential for broader applications in waste management and material science.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | The project was funded by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary in the frame of the GINOP_PLUSZ- 2.1.1-21-2022-00041 project. The research was funded by the Sustainable Development and Technologies National Programme of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (FFT NP FTA). The research was funded by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, grant number PD146135. E. Slezák expresses her gratitude for the project no. KDP-IKT-2023-900-I1-00000957/0000003, which has been implemented with the support provided by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the KDP-2023 funding scheme. Dániel Gere is thankful for the János Bolyai Research Scholarship (BO/00894/23/6) of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Riverine litter accumulations were monitored and sampled in the framework of the Horizon project DALIA (101094070) and the Danube Interreg project Aquatic Plastic (DRP0200235). Open access funding provided by Budapest University of Technology and Economics. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Riverine litter, Circular economy, PET bottles, Thermal analysis, Environmental ageing, Mechanical recycling |
| Subjects: | Q Science / természettudomány > QD Chemistry / kémia T Technology / alkalmazott, műszaki tudományok > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering / környezetvédelem, hulladékkezelés, egészségügyi mérnöki technika (ivóvízellátási és szennyvízkezelési technika) |
| SWORD Depositor: | MTMT SWORD |
| Depositing User: | MTMT SWORD |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Sep 2025 08:54 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Sep 2025 08:54 |
| URI: | https://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/225470 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |
