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Photothermal recycling of waste polyolefin plastics into liquid fuels with high selectivity under solvent-free conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Yingxuan Miao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yunxuan Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse

    (The University of Auckland)

  • Run Shi

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Li-Zhu Wu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tierui Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The widespread use of polyolefin plastics in modern societies generates huge amounts of plastic waste. With a view toward sustainability, researchers are now seeking novel and low-cost strategies for recycling and valorizing polyolefin plastics. Herein, we report the successful development of a photothermal catalytic recycling system for transforming polyolefin plastics into liquid/waxy fuels under concentrated sunlight or xenon lamp irradiation. Photothermal heating of a Ru/TiO2 catalyst to 200–300 °C in the presence of polyolefin plastics results in intimate catalyst-plastic contact and controllable hydrogenolysis of C-C and C-H bonds in the polymer chains (mediated by Ru sites). By optimizing the reaction temperature and pressure, the complete conversion of waste polyolefins into valuable liquid fuels (86% gasoline- and diesel-range hydrocarbons, C5-C21) is possible in short periods (3 h). This work demonstrates a simple and efficient strategy for recycling waste polyolefin plastics using abundant solar energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Yingxuan Miao & Yunxuan Zhao & Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse & Run Shi & Li-Zhu Wu & Tierui Zhang, 2023. "Photothermal recycling of waste polyolefin plastics into liquid fuels with high selectivity under solvent-free conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-40005-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40005-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hua Zhou & Yue Ren & Zhenhua Li & Ming Xu & Ye Wang & Ruixiang Ge & Xianggui Kong & Lirong Zheng & Haohong Duan, 2021. "Electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity chemicals and H2 fuel," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Wei-Tse Lee & Antoine Muyden & Felix D. Bobbink & Mounir D. Mensi & Jed R. Carullo & Paul J. Dyson, 2022. "Mechanistic classification and benchmarking of polyolefin depolymerization over silica-alumina-based catalysts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Mujin Cai & Zhiyi Wu & Zhao Li & Lu Wang & Wei Sun & Athanasios A. Tountas & Chaoran Li & Shenghua Wang & Kai Feng & Ao-Bo Xu & Sanli Tang & Alexandra Tavasoli & Meiwen Peng & Wenxuan Liu & Amr S. Hel, 2021. "Greenhouse-inspired supra-photothermal CO2 catalysis," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 807-814, August.
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