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.

00:00

Playback language: English

Index

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

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Chemistry

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

Y. Miao, Y. Zhao, et al.

Chemistry

Converting inorganic sulfur into degradable thermoplastics and adhesives by copolymerization with cyclic disulfides

Y. Deng, Z. Huang, et al.

Education

Validity and reliability of a questionnaire developed to explore quality assurance components for teaching and learning in vocational and technical education

S. J. Wafudu, Y. B. Kamin, et al.

Food Science and Technology

Identification and quantitation of the actual active components in bamboo juice and its oral liquid by NMR and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Q. Gao, D. Wang, et al.

Listen, Learn & Level Up

Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.

No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.

listen to research audio papers with researchbunny