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CO-promoted polyethylene hydrogenolysis with renewable formic acid as hydrogen donor

Author

Listed:
  • Yuqi Wang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology
    Tsinghua University)

  • Qikun Hu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Shuairen Qian

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jiayang Zhao

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yi Cheng

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jun Ma

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Jing Zhang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Zhiqiang Niu

    (Tsinghua University
    Ordos Laboratory)

Abstract

Hydrogenolysis has emerged as a promising strategy for the chemical recycling of plastic waste, yet its reliance on high-pressure hydrogen poses significant challenges. Biomass- or CO2-derived formic acid (FA) is a renewable hydrogen carrier with the advantages of low toxicity and ease of storage and transport. Here, we use FA to replace high-pressure hydrogen to convert polyethylene (PE) into fuels and chemicals with only 4.1% gaseous products by a RuPt alloy catalyst. We demonstrate that the trace amounts of CO generated from the decomposition of FA do not poison the active sites, but rather induce the formation of Ruδ+, which facilitates the C–C bond cleavage during PE hydrogenolysis. This approach eliminates the need for high-pressure hydrogen and provides a more flexible and adaptable approach for decentralized plastic processing.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuqi Wang & Qikun Hu & Shuairen Qian & Jiayang Zhao & Yi Cheng & Jun Ma & Jing Zhang & Zhiqiang Niu, 2025. "CO-promoted polyethylene hydrogenolysis with renewable formic acid as hydrogen donor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63189-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63189-5
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