We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity chemicals and H2 fuel
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Plastic wastes represent a largely untapped resource for manufacturing chemicals and fuels, particularly considering their environmental and biological threats. Here we report electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic to valuable commodity chemicals (potassium diformate and terephthalic acid) and H2 fuel. Preliminary techno-economic analysis suggests the profitability of this process when the ethylene glycol (EG) component of PET is selectively electrooxidized to formate (>80% selectivity) at high current density (>100 mA cm-2). A nickel-modified cobalt phosphide (CoNi0.25P) electrocatalyst is developed to achieve a current density of 500 mA cm-2 at 1.8 V in a membrane-electrode assembly reactor with >80% of Faradaic efficiency and selectivity to formate. Detailed characterizations reveal the in-situ evolution of CoNi0.25P catalyst into a low-crystalline metal oxy(hydroxide) as an active state during EG oxidation, which might be responsible for its advantageous performances. This work demonstrates a sustainable way to implement waste PET upcycling to value-added products.
More Papers Like This
Dual-Doped Nickel Sulfide for Electro-Upgrading Polyethylene Terephthalate into Valuable Chemicals and Hydrogen Fuel
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a catalyst that can convert PET plastic waste into valuable chemicals and clean hydrogen fuel using electricity. By doping nickel sulfide with cobalt and chloride, they achieved high efficiency and selectivity in breaking down a key PET building block. The study demonstrates a promising approach for upcycling plastic waste into useful products rather than sending it to landfills.
A Molten Salt-Like Strategy for the Synthesis of Hierarchical NiCoMn-LDH Electrocatalysts for Electrocatalytic Upcycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists developed an eco-friendly catalyst that can turn plastic bottle waste (PET) into useful industrial chemicals using electricity, instead of letting it pile up in landfills or break down into microplastics that pollute our water and food. The process worked efficiently even when tested with real recycled plastic waste, suggesting a practical path toward transforming plastic trash into something valuable rather than a lingering environmental and health hazard.
Electro-upcycling of PET plastic coupled with hydrogen production using the NiCe@NiTe electrocatalyst
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers coupled electrochemical PET plastic degradation with hydrogen production using a nickel-cerium telluride electrocatalyst, demonstrating that PET microplastics can be simultaneously upcycled into value-added chemicals while generating clean hydrogen fuel.
Strategies for Electrochemical Recycling of Plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate‐Derived Ethylene Glycol Into High‐Value Chemicals
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper reviews new methods for recycling PET plastic waste, the most common plastic in bottles and packaging, using electricity from renewable sources. By converting PET-derived chemicals into high-value products through electrocatalysis, this approach could help reduce both plastic pollution and microplastic contamination in the environment.
Single-Step Electrochemical Upcycling of PET: Waste to Value-Added Chemicals, Oral Presentation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a single-step electrochemical method to upcycle PET plastic waste into value-added chemicals and organic materials, targeting the over 70% of plastic that ends up in landfills or oceans where it breaks down into microplastics.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.