The oxidative cleavage of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (EVOH) into oxygenated compounds such as carboxylic acids and aldehydes presents a viable strategy for improving the recyclability of multilayer plastic packaging. EVOH has favorable oxygen barrier properties, but its integration with immiscible polymers in multilayer structures hinders mechanical recycling. This study investigates the selective oxidative conversion of EVOH using cerium oxide (CeO₂)-based catalysts under mild thermal conditions (205 °C). The hydroxyl-functionalized backbone of EVOH facilitates oxidation via a Mars–van Krevelen type mechanism, wherein lattice oxygen from the catalyst enables selective bond cleavage while minimizing over-oxidation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to calculate activation energy and polymer conversion at various temperatures. Structural and compositional changes in the polymer residue after the reaction were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gaseous products were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To analyze oxygen removal and surface changes, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used to dissolve unreacted polymer and soluble reaction products, followed by centrifugation. The redox flexibility and oxygen storage capacity of CeO₂ enhanced catalytic performance, reducing downstream separation needs and lowering energy input. This oxidative conversion presents a chemical recycling pathway aligned with circular economy principles.
