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Highly Selective Conversion of Polyolefins to Methane via Mechanochemical Hydrogenolysis
Summary
Scientists found a cheaper, gentler way to break down plastic waste (the kind found in bags and bottles) into methane gas, which can be used as fuel. Instead of needing extreme heat and expensive metals like platinum, they used ordinary iron powder and a mechanical grinding process at near room temperature, making plastic recycling more practical and affordable. While this study focuses on energy recovery rather than human health directly, better ways to break down plastic waste could eventually help reduce the plastic pollution that breaks into microplastics and ends up in our water, food, and bodies.
Abstract Hydrogenolysis of polyolefin waste into value-added fuels remains challenging. The main barriers are the chemical inertness of C−C and C−H bonds and the lack of selective cleavage sites. Traditional hydrogenolysis methods often rely on harsh conditions (200–450 °C, 10–50 bar hydrogen) and noble-metal catalysts (Pt and Ru) and produce broad alkane mixtures. Here, we report a mechanochemical hydrogenolysis strategy for direct conversion of polyolefin plastics into methane (CH4). The process uses inexpensive iron (Fe) powder as the catalyst, with the jar temperature as low as 30 °C under 3–9 bar H2. Under laboratory conditions, compared with the thermochemical route, the mechanochemical method increases the CH4 yield rate by orders of magnitude. The gas-phase hydrocarbon yield is 43-fold higher than in the thermochemical route, and CH4 selectivity increases from 65.7 to 98.7 vol %. This performance enhancement may be associated with the generation of high-density defects during mechanochemical treatment. This work leverages low-cost Fe catalyst to facilitate the upcycling of polyolefin waste into energy product, thereby mitigating the environmental problem caused by plastic pollution.