Overview

• QST researchers achieved full PTFE decomposition at 370 °C with a 5 MGy electron beam, compared to only 10% breakdown at 30 °C and 86% at 270 °C.
• The combined electron beam irradiation and moderate heating slashes energy requirements by 50%, cutting typical pyrolysis consumption from about 2.8–4 MWh per ton to roughly 1.4–2 MWh per ton.
• Decomposition yields oxidized fluorocarbons and perfluoroalkanes that can be captured and reused as feedstocks in chemical manufacturing.
• High-temperature irradiation enlarges PTFE’s internal crystal units, accelerating breakdown and boosting energy efficiency.
• Researchers project that the method’s energy savings could make industrial-scale recycling of fluoropolymers commercially viable for PTFE waste generators.