Tire recycling has been a challenge for decades due to rubber’s tough structure. Every year, millions of tires end up in landfills, posing a serious environmental problem . However, a recent breakthrough at the University of North Carolina could radically change the way we recycle these materials.
Innovation in rubber recycling
The research team led by Dr. Aleksandr Zhukhovitskiy has developed a chemical process that efficiently breaks down rubber into its most useful components . This breakthrough utilizes CH amination and polymer rearrangement, enabling the transformation of tire waste into valuable materials that can be used in the manufacture of epoxy resins , commonly used in adhesives, coatings, and composites.
The most notable feature of this technique is that it is carried out under mild conditions (between 35 and 50°C), compared to traditional methods that require high temperatures. Furthermore, this process avoids the dangerous byproducts generated by pyrolysis , such as benzene and dioxins.
Efficient decomposition of rubber
In a test using waste rubber, the researchers were able to break down the material in just six hours , transforming it into a soluble compound with amine groups, suitable for producing high-strength resins . This represents a significant improvement over current methods, which often weaken the rubber’s properties or generate low-value byproducts. The article was published in Nature.
This innovative process offers a solution to the accumulation of rubber waste, reduces reliance on landfills, and minimizes the environmental impact of recycling . With the promise of further optimizing the use of more environmentally friendly solvents, this breakthrough marks a milestone in the quest for more sustainable recycling methods.
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Source and internal photo: University of North Carolina
Main photo: Shutterstock
