Summary Various recycling technologies have been developed to deal with plastic problems, but they face considerable economic and technological challenges in practice. An attractive alternative is upcycling, which aims to dig out the embedded value to incentivize large-scale valorization of plastic wastes. The degradation of nonrecoverable plastic wastes is another necessity to treat the omnipresent pollution. This review presents an overview on the conversion of plastic wastes toward value-added products and the catalytic degradation of nonrecoverable plastic wastes. Based on an examination of traditional recycling technologies and products, we summarize the state-of-the-art design and development of plastic conversion to high-value and high-performance fuels, chemicals, and materials. Subsequently, we highlight the advances in catalytic degradation of plastics to environmentally benign or degradable products and mineralization into carbon dioxide and water. We conclude with our perspective on the ongoing challenge and opportunities.

Upcycling and catalytic degradation of plastic wastes

Pyrolysis-catalysis of different waste plastics over Fe/Al2O3 catalyst: High-value hydrogen, liquid fuels, carbon nanotubes and possible reaction mechanisms

A study on co-pyrolysis mechanisms of biomass and polyethylene via ReaxFF molecular dynamic simulation and density functional theory

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43586-022-00097-8.pdf

Hydrogen generation from biomass by pyrolysis

The growing environmental concerns associated with global warming along with the exponential rise in energy demand are boosting the production of clean energy. The combined process of biomass pyrolysis and in-line catalytic steam reforming is a promising alternative for the selective production of hydrogen from renewable sources. This Primer provides a general overview of the fundamental aspects that influence the hydrogen production potential of the process. Recent research studies and their main findings are highlighted. The current challenges and limitations of the process and ways to optimize the biomass-derived products of steam reforming are discussed. Finally, we evaluate progress toward the industrial scalability of the process. The combined process of biomass pyrolysis and in-line catalytic steam reforming is a promising alternative for the selective production of hydrogen from renewable sources. In this Primer, Lopez et al. outline the main factors influencing hydrogen production, from reactor configurations and operating conditions to product analysis and catalyst development. 

Su He

Papers

Waste plastics recycling for producing high-value carbon nanotubes: Investigation of the influence of Manganese content in Fe-based catalysts.

Investigation of spherical alumina supported catalyst for carbon nanotubes production from waste polyethylene