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Degradation of PolyvinylChloride Microplastics viaHydrothermal Catalysis Using CoMn2O4 Nanofibers
Summary
Researchers developed a hydrothermal catalytic method using CoMn2O4 spinel nanofibers to degrade polyvinyl chloride microplastics without requiring external hydrogen or oxygen supply, achieving dechlorination and chain scission via synergistic Lewis and Bronsted acid sites. The mild, cost-effective approach offers a promising route for remediating PVC microplastic pollution by breaking it down into less persistent chemical products.
Microplastic pollution has emerged as one of the most critical environmental and societal concerns of the 21st century. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more cost-effective methods for degrading microplastics. Herein, we propose a facile, cost-effective, and mild hydrothermal strategy to degrade PVC microplastics without an external H2/O2 supply. Reaction pathways for PVC microplastics upcycling were proposed based on product analysis. Mechanistic studies showed that the high catalytic activity of CoMn2O4 spinel stems from the synergy between its Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, leading to dechlorination and carbenium ion generation. During the reaction, oxygen migration creates vacancies, which collaboratively catalyze the cleavage of C–C and CC bonds with CoMn2O4, forming low-carbon-chain organic compounds. This study introduces a simple, viable strategy for the upgrading of PVC MPs via hydrothermal catalytic reaction, offering significant potential for PVC MPs waste treatment and disposal.