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Revolutionary Recycling Method for Silicone Waste Developed by CNRS Researchers
A recent investigation by researchers at CNRS has unveiled an innovative approach to recycling silicone waste, encompassing materials such as caulk, sealants, gels, and cosmetics. This groundbreaking method promises to significantly mitigate the environmental repercussions associated with silicone production and disposal. Notably, this process marks the first instance of universal recycling that can revert any used silicone material back to its original molecular state, where each molecule consists of a single silicon atom. This technique eliminates the need for conventional raw materials typically utilized in the synthesis of new silicones. Furthermore, because the method relies on chemical rather than mechanical recycling, it allows for the infinite reuse of the material without compromising its quality. The complete findings of this research will be detailed in an upcoming publication in Science, set to be released on April 24, 2025.
Silicones are primarily derived from natural quartz, whose components are broken down through high-temperature metallurgical processes to yield pure silicon. This pure silicon subsequently reacts with methyl chloride to produce chlorosilanes, which are integral to all silicone-based polymers. The initial stages of this transformation are energy-intensive and contribute to carbon dioxide emissions—a significant factor in global climate change. Therefore, the newly developed recycling method has the potential to alleviate one of the most detrimental environmental impacts linked to the silicone industry. Additionally, as this recycling approach provides direct access to (methyl)chlorosilanes that can be industrially separated and purified, it ensures high-quality silicone materials from recycled sources, maintaining their properties over infinite cycles of reuse.
In an era where key chemical elements and mineral resources are in high demand, this recycling process could help alleviate concerns surrounding the availability of quartz, a vital resource. The silicon obtained from quartz plays a critical role in the electronics sector. Collaborating with both scientific and industrial partners, the research team is committed to refining this recycling process for practical industrial application. They are also exploring recycling solutions for other phases of silicone production and investigating sustainable practices for additional materials.
Notes
1 — This research is conducted at the “Catalyse, Polymérisation, Procédés et Matériaux” laboratory (CNRS/CPE Lyon /Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1).
2 — The quartz utilized is crystalline silica that contains fewer impurities compared to standard sand.
3 — The study was carried out in collaboration with the Centre de RMN à très haut champs at Lyon (CNRS/ENS de Lyon/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1), the Institut de chimie et biochimie moléculaires et supramoléculaires (CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1), and the private companies Activation and Elkem Silicones.
Source
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