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Photocatalytic Upcycling of Plastic Waste: Mechanism, Integrating Modus, and Selectivity
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This review examines how photocatalysis, a process that uses light energy to drive chemical reactions, can transform plastic waste into useful products under mild and environmentally friendly conditions. Researchers compared photocatalytic approaches with other methods like heat-based and electrical catalysis, and explored how different experimental setups influence what end products are created. The study suggests that photocatalytic upcycling of plastics is a promising green technology, though challenges remain in improving efficiency and selectivity.
Plastics are ubiquitous and indispensable in our daily life because of their low cost, portability, durability, and processability. However, due to the overuse, short service life, and chemical inert character, the accumulated discarded plastics pose a great threat to the sustainable development of ecology and environment. Photocatalysis represents highly promising technology in transforming plastic wastes into value‐added products via green and mild method. In this perspective, the advantages of photocatalysis are discussed and compared with other catalysis technologies including thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, and enzyme catalysis. Then the possible photocatalytic upcycling path of plastic wastes is clarified under different experimental conditions. The types of plastic wastes that can be upcycled by photocatalysis, the integrating modus between plastic wastes and the photocatalysts as well as the modulation of the product selectivity are also emphasized. Finally, the challenges and insights into the future development of photocatalytic plastic waste upcycling fields are presented. It is expected that this timely and critical review provides the instructive guidance for the design of photocatalysts with high efficiency and high selectivity toward plastic waste upcycling.
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Photocatalytic Upcycling of Different Types of Plastic Wastes: A Mini Review
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This mini-review covers recent advances in photocatalytic upcycling of diverse plastic types—including polyolefins, polyesters, and other common polymers—using light-driven chemical reactions that convert plastic waste into value-added chemicals or fuels. The authors summarize the fundamental principles of photocatalytic plastic deconstruction and identify key challenges in achieving scalable, efficient, and selective plastic conversion processes.
Sustainable Treatment of Plastic Wastes with Photocatalytic Technologies: A Review
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Researchers review photocatalytic technologies as a sustainable approach to plastic waste management, examining how light-driven reactions can break down plastics or convert them into valuable chemicals and clean energy, offering a dual benefit of environmental remediation and resource recovery.
From Plastic Waste to Treasure: Selective Upcycling through Catalytic Technologies
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Researchers review recent advances in catalytic technologies—including thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis—for upcycling plastic waste into valuable chemicals, highlighting how selective bond activation can convert what would otherwise be waste into high-value products.
Plastic Waste Conversion by Leveraging Renewable Photo/Electro‐Catalytic Technologies
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Researchers review how renewable energy-driven technologies — photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and their combination — can convert waste plastics into valuable chemicals and fuels, offering a pathway to transform the plastic economy from a linear to a circular model.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Plastic Waste: A Mini Review
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This mini review examines photocatalytic degradation as a method for breaking down plastic waste using light-activated materials that accelerate chemical reactions. Researchers found that various photocatalysts can significantly speed up plastic degradation compared to natural sunlight alone, converting plastics into smaller molecules or useful chemical products. The study highlights photocatalysis as a promising technology for addressing the growing plastic waste crisis, though challenges remain in scaling the approach.
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