Led by Senior Principal Researcher Dr. Akira Idesaki, the QST group found that applying EB irradiation while heating PTFE significantly lowered the energy threshold for decomposition. According to Dr. Idesaki, "By applying heat during irradiation, we were able to reduce the energy required to decompose PTFE by 50% compared to traditional methods."
Their experiments showed that while EB irradiation at 30oC decomposed just 10% of the plastic, raising the temperature to 270oC boosted decomposition to 86%, and full conversion was achieved at 370oC. Unlike pyrolysis, which requires up to 1000oC, this approach consumes far less energy.
The decomposition released oxidized fluorocarbons and perfluoroalkanes - gases containing fluorine with oxygen or carbon - identified through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. These byproducts could serve as feedstock for chemical manufacturing, enabling circular reuse.
In addition to gas production, EB irradiation altered PTFE's internal structure. As first author Dr. Hao Yu noted, "High-temperature irradiation not only enhances decomposition but also changes the internal structure of PTFE," with infrared and X-ray analysis revealing reduced oxidized residue and expanded crystal domains.
This process could cut energy use in PTFE recycling from 2.8-4 MWh per ton to half, making it viable for industrial-scale applications. Co-author Dr. Yasunari Maekawa emphasized the broader benefits, saying, "We hope this technology will contribute to the safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective recycling of high-performance plastics."
Research Report:Effects of temperature on the decomposition of PTFE induced by electron beam irradiation
Related Links
National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology
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