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Tuning selectivity in the direct hydrogenolysis of PET plastic over Co catalysts through interfacial hydrogen spillover
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Scientists found a clever way to break down PET plastic (the kind used in soda bottles) into valuable chemicals using a cheap, stable cobalt-based catalyst, and by simply adjusting the temperature and pressure, they can steer the process toward one of two useful products instead of a messy mixture. This matters because it's a cleaner, simpler way to recycle plastic waste—meaning less of it ends up polluting the environment and breaking down into microplastics that can enter our water, food, and bodies—while also producing fewer planet-warming emissions than making these chemicals from fossil fuels.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic upcycling typically features two-step processes involving cascade depolymerization and functionalization to mixed products. Here, we realize the direct hydrogenolysis of PET over a Co@CoO heterogeneous catalyst, with high yield of either p-xylene (PX, >97 %) or 1,4-dimethylcyclohexane (1,4-DMC, >90 %). Pyrolysis of Co-MOF-71 yields carbon-supported Co nanoparticles partially encapsulated by CoO, whose metal/oxide interface facilitates hydrogen spillover. Experimental and computational investigations reveal Coδ+ atoms proximate to CoO particles selectively catalyze carboxylate C–O bond cleavage at 250 °C and 1 MPa H2 to yield PX. In contrast, hydrogen spillover from Co metal to CoO sites at 280 °C and 3 MPa H2 promotes selective ring hydrogenation to 1,4-DMC. Co/CoO-800 has excellent stability and efficacy for depolymerizing commercial PET plastics. Life cycle assessment indicates the PET-to-PX process offers negative CO2 emissions and outperforms fossil-fuel PX production. Direct hydrogenolysis over Earth-abundant catalysts offers a simple strategy for polyester waste upcycling. Turning PET plastic waste into useful chemicals usually takes several steps and makes mixtures. This study uses a cobalt catalyst to directly convert PET into high yields of two valuable products, with good stability and lower emissions.
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Electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity chemicals and H2 fuel
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Researchers developed an electrocatalytic process that breaks down waste PET plastic (the kind used in water bottles) into valuable chemicals and clean hydrogen fuel using a specially designed nickel-cobalt catalyst. The process achieved high efficiency at industrial-scale current densities, offering a potentially profitable way to recycle plastic waste into useful products.
Noncovalent Interaction-Catalyzed High Conversion of Waste PET Plastics into Organic Esters under Mild Conditions
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Scientists found a gentle, energy-efficient way to break down PET plastic (the type used in water bottles and food containers) into valuable chemical building blocks that can be reused, using a special catalyst that works like a molecular "unlocking" tool. This matters because most plastic recycling is inefficient or requires harsh conditions, so better methods to fully break down plastic waste could reduce the amount of PET that ends up polluting our environment and breaking into microplastics that we may end up breathing or eating.
Self-Evolving PET-Induced Carbon Nanotube Modulated Ni Nanocomposites for Efficient PET-to-H2 Production
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Scientists developed a new method to turn plastic bottle waste (PET) into hydrogen gas, which can be used as clean fuel, using a special catalyst that keeps working efficiently over time instead of wearing out quickly. This matters because it offers a way to reduce plastic pollution, including the kind that breaks down into microplastics harmful to health, while producing clean energy instead of letting that plastic sit in landfills or oceans. While this is still lab-scale research, it points toward future technology that could tackle both the plastic crisis and our need for cleaner energy sources at the same time.
PET Waste‐Derived Bimetallic MOFs Nanowire Arrays Enable Efficient Overall Water Splitting
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Scientists found a clever way to turn plastic bottle waste (PET) into a material that helps produce clean hydrogen fuel from water using less energy. This matters because it tackles two problems at once—reducing plastic pollution (which can break down into microplastics that contaminate our water and food) while supporting cleaner energy production that doesn't rely on fossil fuels. While this research is still in the lab stage and not yet a consumer product, it points toward future technologies that could make plastic recycling more valuable and help shift us toward sustainable energy sources.
Catalyzed Chemical Recycling of PET Plastic Waste
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Scientists tested a new chemical method to break down PET plastic (the kind used in water bottles) back into its basic building blocks, so it can be remade into fresh, high-quality plastic instead of the lower-quality material you get from typical recycling. This matters because better recycling methods could mean less plastic waste ending up in landfills, oceans, and eventually breaking down into microplastics that contaminate our food and water. The early results are promising, but the researchers note more testing is needed before this method could be used at a larger scale.
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