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Crucial role of pre-treatment in plastic photoreforming for precision upcycling

npj Materials Sustainability 2025 6 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 53 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Xiandi Zhang, Wenhan Zu, Lawrence Yoon Suk Lee

Summary

Researchers reviewed how pre-treating plastic waste before photoreforming — a process that uses sunlight to convert plastic into useful chemicals — dramatically affects what products are made and how efficiently. Understanding how polymer structure and preparation influence the reaction is key to turning plastic waste into valuable resources sustainably.

The accumulation of non-degradable plastics poses a significant environmental challenge. Photoreforming presents a promising solution through plastic upcycling. This review explores the mechanisms of photoreforming that determine product selectivity, emphasizing the role of polymer molecular structure and pre-treatment techniques. By identifying key factors affecting reaction dynamics, we aim to establish optimized frameworks for plastic photoreforming and enhance sustainable waste management, highlighting opportunities for improvement and innovation.

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