Aug 2026· ChemCatChem· Vol 18· 0 citations· 49 references
Abstract
Polyolefin plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), possess chemically inert and nonpolar C–C backbones, making them difficult to recycle and causing persistent environmental pollution. The lack of green and highly selective upcycling methods has led to severe environmental concerns and resource waste. Photoelectrocatalysis utilizes high‐energy photogenerated charge carriers to directionally upgrade plastic‐derived small molecules into value‐added chemicals. However, current photoelectrocatalytic technologies still face challenges in processing structurally inert bulk polymer plastics. In this study, we report a hydrothermal‐photoelectrocatalytic tandem strategy to realize the upcycling of PE and other polyolefin plastics. The acetic acid product obtained from hydrothermal treatment are further converted into ethanol over an Au nanoparticle‑decorated GaN/Si (Au/GaN/Si) photocathode, achieving an optimal performance of a Faradaic efficiency of 57.6%. This tandem strategy also demonstrates excellent generality in the conversion of polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), providing a green route for the upcycling of polyolefin plastics.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a high-performance thermoplastic widely used in electronics and 3D printing filaments, contributes significantly to the plastic waste problem due to its non-biodegradability. At the same time, the global push toward portable electronics and large-scale renewable energy storage sys...
A. Zhanaikhan, K. Kurtibay, A. Mukanova et al.· RSC Advances· 0 citations
Conventional recycling of polyolefins and rubbers is hindered by high energy consumption, complex processing, and limited substrate compatibility—fundamental barriers that have long impeded practical waste valorization. Here, we overcome these limitations with a mechanochemical strategy that leverages AlCl3, a classi...
The chemical incompatibility of mixed plastics poses a fundamental barrier to their circularity. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), among the highest-volume manufactured polyolefin and polyester, are particularly difficult to process together due to their divergent structures and stabilities. Here...
Chemical recycling of plastics into monomers offers a promising strategy for addressing global plastic pollution. However, most chemical recycling methods are limited to specific polymers. Pyrolysis offers generality for universal polymer recycling; however, overheating leads to energy inefficiencies and degradation pr...
Yoon-Jung Jang, M. S. Wani, Han-Ning Jiang et al.· Nature Communications· 0 citations
The growing accumulation of plastic waste poses a major global environmental challenge, yet existing chemical recycling technologies remain constrained by high energy demand, narrow substrate scope, intolerance to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and mixed plastic waste, and heavy reliance on precious, toxic, or base-metal c...
Xin-Ying Kong, Shao Rong Choo, Wei-Kean Chong et al.· Sustainable Science and Inno...· 0 citations
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