Plastic waste conversion into monomers using microwaves

Azam, M. Usman ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9589-8313, Thomas, Kate, Umer, Muhammad, Jie, Michael X., Tsubaki, Shuntaro, Edwards, Peter P. and Slocombe, Daniel R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3590-6075 2026. Plastic waste conversion into monomers using microwaves. Horikoshi, Satoshi and Serpone, Nick, eds. Electromagnetic Wave Innovations for Sustainability II: Recycling and Environmental Remediation, Singapore: Springer, pp. 101-130. (10.1007/978-981-92-0298-0_4)

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Abstract

Plastic waste management is constrained by low recycling rates and the difficulty of recovering virgin-grade materials from heterogeneous, additive-rich streams. This chapter reviews chemical recycling to monomers (CRM) as a route to close the loop at the molecular level, showing how polymer backbone chemistry (C–C vs C–X), functional groups, crystallinity, Tg/Tm, molecular weight and distribution, and real-world contaminants govern depolymerisation pathways, energetics, and achievable monomer yields. We summarise the thermodynamic and kinetic framework for CRM and explain why condensation polymers (e.g., PET, PC, polyamides) are more readily returned to monomers than polyolefins, whose inert C–C backbones favour non-selective cracking and secondary reactions. A central focus is the emerging role of microwave-assisted catalytic processing, where rapid, volumetric, and selective heating, often enabled by tailored susceptors and dielectric-responsive catalysts, can shorten residence times, improve heat and mass transfer, and enhance space-time yields of target monomers and other high-value products. Finally, we assess environmental and technoeconomic considerations, highlight commercial progress across key polymer classes with a focus on microwave-enabled approaches, and identify scale-up, mixed-waste tolerance, catalyst stability, and reactor field control as pivotal challenges. Future directions include co-pyrolysis strategies, smart depolymerisable polymers, and policy mechanisms needed to accelerate the deployment of monomer-recovery technologies within a resilient circular plastics economy.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Engineering
Publisher:	Springer
ISBN:	9789819202973
Last Modified:	21 Sep 2026 12:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189734

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