Upgrading Natural Ores for Efficient Photothermal Polyester Recycling

Transition metal-catalyzed chemical upcycling of polyester waste into monomers represents a critical pathway to mitigate the global environmental crisis posed by plastic pollution. However, reconciling atomic-scale catalyst design with industrial manufacturing demands remains a fundamental challenge for addressing the >80 million tons of polyester waste generated annually. Here, a solar-driven glycolysis platform is reported using thermally activated natural pyrite minerals (FeS₂) as photothermal catalysts. Unlike conventional catalysts requiring complex synthesis, this mineral-derived system leverages low-cost, abundant raw materials, a green synthesis process, and easy scale-up. The activated pyrite exhibits a monomer yield 51.2-fold higher than pristine pyrite. Structural and mechanistic studies reveal that thermal activation generates iron-sulfur cooperative sites via topological transformation, which synergistically enhance the adsorption of polyester and ethylene glycol, boosting the subsequent nucleophilic substitution depolymerization reaction. The findings may catalyze innovations in polymer regeneration technologies and establish scalable pathways for plastic waste valorization, accelerating global transition to circular economies.