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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Scalable electrosynthesis of commodity chemicals from biomass by suppressing non-Faradaic transformations
ClearMicroplastic Recovery and Conversion Pathways: The Most Recent Advancements in Technologies for the Generation of Renewable Energy
This review examines current technologies for recovering energy from microplastics, evaluating pyrolysis, gasification, electrochemical methods, and hybrid biomass-based approaches in terms of energy balance, carbon conversion, product composition, process efficiency, and scalability. The authors found pyrolysis to be the most scalable method, producing valuable oils and gases, but highlighted that all reviewed technologies face challenges handling the heterogeneous composition and small particle sizes characteristic of MP feedstocks.
Single-Step Electrochemical Upcycling of PET: Waste to Value-Added Chemicals, Oral Presentation
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.
Electrochemical Biomass Upgrading of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid Under Mild Alkaline Media
Researchers developed an electrochemical method to upgrade biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) under mild alkaline conditions, positioning FDCA as a bio-based monomer for producing poly(ethylene furoate) as a green alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. The study demonstrated that electrochemical oxidation under mild conditions offers a viable, lower-emission route to sustainable plastic precursors from renewable biomass feedstocks.
Using dual chamber microbial fuel cells for coupled microplastic biodegradation and bioelectricity production: assessing the effect of substrate
Researchers investigated using dual-chamber microbial fuel cells to simultaneously biodegrade PET microplastics and generate bioelectricity. The study found that microbial consortia in the fuel cell setup could break down microplastics while producing usable electrical energy, offering a potentially sustainable approach to microplastic remediation in wastewater treatment.
The exploitation of bio-electrochemical system and microplastics removal: Possibilities and perspectives
This review explores bio-electrochemical systems as a sustainable alternative for removing microplastics from water, since current removal methods are costly, energy-intensive, and can release toxic chemicals. Bio-electrochemical systems use microorganisms to generate electricity while simultaneously treating wastewater, offering a cleaner approach. Though still in early research stages, this technology could provide an efficient and environmentally friendly way to reduce microplastic contamination in water supplies.
Strategies for Electrochemical Recycling of Plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate‐Derived Ethylene Glycol Into High‐Value Chemicals
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.
Evaluating Microplastic Effects on Performance and Electrochemistry of Microbial Fuel Cells for Wastewater Treatment
Researchers evaluated how microplastics affect the performance of microbial fuel cells used for wastewater treatment. They found that low concentrations of microplastics actually improved chemical oxygen demand reduction and power production compared to wastewater without microplastics. However, at higher concentrations the beneficial effects diminished, suggesting that microplastic levels in wastewater could influence the efficiency of bioelectrochemical treatment systems.
Catalyst Design and Engineering for Enhanced Microplastic Degradation and Upcycling—A Review
This review examined current approaches to microplastic degradation and upcycling, covering photocatalysis, biodegradation, and chemical conversion technologies. The authors identified key challenges in catalyst design and engineering needed to achieve efficient breakdown of microplastics at scale.
State of the art in the photochemical degradation of (micro)plastics: from fundamental principles to catalysts and applications
This review summarizes research on the photochemical degradation of plastics and microplastics into value-added products and intermediates via photocatalysis. The study covers fundamental principles and catalytic approaches for breaking down plastic pollutants that are otherwise difficult to degrade in the environment.
Systemically Understanding Aqueous Photocatalytic Upgrading of Microplastic to Fuels
This review examines photocatalytic methods for converting microplastic waste into renewable fuels using solar energy. These approaches could transform plastic pollutants into useful energy sources rather than allowing them to accumulate in the environment and food chain.
Defossilising fuels and chemicals – a systemic analysis from feedstock and technology, to hurdles and enablers
A systemic analysis examined the pathways and challenges of replacing fossil-derived fuels and chemicals with bio-based alternatives, highlighting trade-offs in sustainability and scalability. The work is relevant to reducing the fossil-plastic pipeline that drives ongoing microplastic pollution.
A Review on Biofuels and Chemicals Production by Co-pyrolysis of Solid Biomass Feedstocks and Non-degradable Plastics
This review examines co-pyrolysis processes that convert mixtures of plastic waste and solid biomass into fuels and chemical products. Co-pyrolysis offers a way to valorize plastic waste that would otherwise break down into microplastics in the environment, while also producing usable energy.
Bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion mitigates microplastic pollution and promotes methane recovery of wastewater treatment in biofilm system
Researchers found that bioelectrochemical systems can simultaneously break down microplastics in wastewater and recover methane gas for energy. The systems enhanced the degradation of polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride particles while maintaining healthy biofilm communities on the electrodes. The study suggests that combining electrochemistry with biological treatment could offer a practical approach to both microplastic removal and renewable energy recovery from wastewater.
Mini-review on remediation of plastic pollution through photoreforming: progress, possibilities, and challenges.
This mini-review examines photoreforming — a solar-powered process that converts plastic waste into valuable chemicals and hydrogen fuel — as a promising approach to reducing plastic pollution while generating clean energy. The authors review progress in the technology, assess remaining challenges such as efficiency and scalability, and place it in the context of other plastic waste remediation strategies.
Investigation of the influence of polystyrene microplastics in wastewater on anode biofilm viability and electron transfer in microbial fuel cells performance
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics in wastewater reduce the electricity-generating ability of microbial fuel cells — devices that use bacteria to turn waste into power — by disrupting the bacterial biofilms that transfer electrons to electrodes. Carbon-based electrodes were more resistant to microplastic interference than metal ones, suggesting material choice matters when designing systems treating microplastic-contaminated water.
Treatment of electroplating wastewater using electrocoagulation and integrated membrane
This study developed an electrocoagulation and membrane filtration system that removes over 99% of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. While not directly about microplastics, the technology is relevant because microplastics in water often carry heavy metals that can leach into drinking water. Improved industrial wastewater treatment reduces the overall toxic burden in water systems that people depend on.
Engineering a molecular electrocatalytic system for energy-efficient ammonia production from wastewater nitrate
This study developed an electrocatalytic system for converting nitrate from wastewater into ammonia, addressing both water pollution and fertilizer production simultaneously. Efficient wastewater treatment systems are also important for microplastic removal before treated water is discharged into the environment.
Excavating the Potential of Photo‐ and Electroupcycling Platforms Toward a Sustainable Future for Waste Plastics
This review examines photo- and electrocatalytic methods for breaking down waste plastics into valuable small-molecule chemicals, offering a more efficient and less polluting alternative to conventional recycling. By converting plastic polymers rather than simply remelting or landfilling them, these upcycling pathways could help reduce the volume of plastic waste that eventually fragments into environmental microplastics.
Fuel cell and electrolyzer using plastic waste directly as fuel
Researchers demonstrated an electrochemical cell that converts solid plastic waste directly into electricity or hydrogen gas without incineration or gasification, using an acidic solution to dissolve polyurethane at 100–200 °C and oxidize it at a porous carbon anode.
Hybrid thermo-electrochemical conversion of plastic wastes commingled with marine biomass to value-added products using renewable energy
A hybrid thermo-electrochemical process was explored for converting marine plastic and biomass mixtures into useful energy products, addressing the challenge of plastics commingled with organic matter in ocean environments. The approach offers a potential pathway for valorizing hard-to-recycle marine waste streams.