Chemistry

Converting waste PET plastics into automobile fuels and antifreeze components

Z. Gao, B. Ma, et al.

Discover an innovative low-cost method to tackle plastic pollution through the transformation of PET waste into valuable p-xylene and ethylene glycol. This research, conducted by Zhiwen Gao, Bing Ma, Shuang Chen, Jingqing Tian, and Chen Zhao, showcases a groundbreaking one-pot approach that harnesses a modified Cu/SiO2 catalyst and methanol, providing an in-situ hydrogen source and making strides towards environmental sustainability.

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Abstract

This paper presents a low-cost method for converting polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into p-xylene (PX) and ethylene glycol (EG) using a modified Cu/SiO2 catalyst and methanol as both solvent and hydrogen donor. The process involves tandem PET methanolysis and DMT selective hydro-deoxygenation, with methanol decomposition providing in-situ hydrogen. High activity is attributed to the high Cu+/Cu2+ ratio in the catalyst, achieved through hydrothermal synthesis with NaCl addition. This hydrogen-free one-pot approach offers a feasible solution to plastic pollution, particularly in island environments.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Jun 10, 2022

Authors

Zhiwen Gao, Bing Ma, Shuang Chen, Jingqing Tian, Chen Zhao

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