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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to From waste to energy - Photocatalytic anaerobic degradation of microplastics to generate hydrogen
ClearFrom waste to energy - Photocatalytic anaerobic degradation of microplastics to generate hydrogen
Researchers demonstrated that microplastic particles can serve as solid hydrogen sources in anaerobic photocatalytic reactions using titanium dioxide as a catalyst. This proof-of-concept converts plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel while potentially reducing environmental microplastic loads.
Hydrogen Generation from PS and PE Microplastics via UV Photocatalysis
Scientists explored whether UV light—with and without a titanium dioxide photocatalyst—could break down polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics while simultaneously generating hydrogen gas, effectively converting plastic pollution into a clean fuel. Overall degradation rates remain low and practical barriers (particle settling, light penetration) are significant, but the study maps the thermodynamic and chemical conditions that favor reactivity. This dual-purpose approach—pollution remediation plus energy recovery—is an intriguing direction for future research if efficiency can be improved.
Recovering hydrogen from PS, LDPE and HDPE microplastics via UV-driven photolysis and TiO2-based photocatalysis
Scientists used UV light — both direct photolysis and titanium dioxide photocatalysis — to break down polystyrene, LDPE, and HDPE microplastics and capture the released hydrogen gas as a potential clean fuel. The dataset documents hydrogen yields and conditions across the different plastic types and treatment methods. This approach could offer a dual benefit: destroying plastic waste while generating renewable hydrogen energy.
Photoreforming of PET and PLA microplastics for sustainable hydrogen production using TiO2 and g-C3N4 photocatalysts
Researchers used photoreforming—a light-driven process—to break down PET and PLA microplastics while simultaneously generating hydrogen gas, demonstrating a dual-benefit approach that addresses plastic pollution while producing clean energy from waste plastic.
Visible Light Photocatalysis: Green Hydrogen Production
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper describes strategies for using visible-light photocatalysis to generate green hydrogen fuel from organic compounds and cellulose waste, an energy research topic unrelated to microplastic pollution.
Recovering hydrogen from PS, LDPE and HDPE microplastics via UV-driven photolysis and TiO2-based photocatalysis
This is a preprint data entry for the same UV photocatalysis microplastic-to-hydrogen research as ID 1873, providing the underlying experimental report on TiO2-assisted breakdown of polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics under UVC light. Duplicate/companion entry; the research explores whether plastic pollution can be converted into hydrogen fuel as a remediation-plus-energy strategy.
Visible-Light-DrivenPhotocatalytic Hydrogen Productionfrom Polystyrene Nanoplastics Using Pd/TiO2 Nanoparticles
Researchers developed a palladium-modified titanium dioxide photocatalyst that degrades polystyrene nanoplastics under visible light while simultaneously producing green hydrogen, finding that the plastic itself was necessary as a fuel source for hydrogen evolution.
In-situ formation of Ag2O in metal-organic framework for light-driven upcycling of microplastics coupled with hydrogen production
Researchers developed a light-activated catalyst that can break down microplastics while simultaneously producing hydrogen gas as a clean energy byproduct, using a novel metal-organic framework material that converts plastic pollution into useful chemicals — offering a potential two-in-one solution for plastic waste and energy production.
Brookite TiO2 as an active photocatalyst for photoconversion of plastic wastes to acetic acid and simultaneous hydrogen production: Comparison with anatase and rutile
Researchers found that a specific form of titanium dioxide called brookite can use sunlight to simultaneously break down PET plastic waste and produce hydrogen fuel. The process converts microplastics in water into acetic acid (vinegar), offering a way to both clean up plastic pollution and generate clean energy. This technology could eventually help address microplastic contamination in water while producing a useful byproduct.
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.
Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production from Polystyrene Nanoplastics Using Pd/TiO2 Nanoparticles
Researchers developed a light-driven photocatalyst using palladium on titanium dioxide nanoparticles that can simultaneously break down polystyrene nanoplastics and produce hydrogen gas. The best-performing catalyst generated significant hydrogen output while also reducing the size of the plastic particles. The study demonstrates a dual-benefit approach that could address nanoplastic water pollution while generating clean energy.
Comprehensive Insights into Photoreforming of Waste Plastics for Hydrogen Production
This review examines photocatalytic "photoreforming" — a solar-powered process that breaks down waste plastics while simultaneously generating hydrogen fuel and useful chemical byproducts. Recent advances in catalyst design, including semiconductor materials and metal-organic frameworks, are analyzed alongside factors like light intensity and pH that affect hydrogen output. This dual-purpose approach could help address both the global plastic waste crisis and the need for clean energy simultaneously.
Efficient photodegradation of polystyrene microplastics integrated with hydrogen evolution: Uncovering degradation pathways
Researchers developed an amorphous alloy/photocatalyst composite (FeB/TiO2) that efficiently degrades polystyrene microplastics while simultaneously producing hydrogen fuel, achieving 92.3% particle size reduction and significant H2 production in 12 hours.
Unravelling the photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene microplastics with TiO2 under UV light: Evidence from kinetic studies
Researchers demonstrated that a titanium dioxide photocatalyst under UV light can break down polyethylene microplastics, achieving 34% mass loss in 8 hours and up to 54% over five treatment cycles. The process physically shrank the particles and chemically transformed them into simpler compounds like short-chain acids and carbon dioxide. While not yet ready for large-scale use, this technology could eventually help degrade microplastics in water treatment systems.
Photocatalytic Removal of Polyester Polyurethane, and Polyethylene Microplastics via ZnO-Fe-Mg-C Nanocomposite to H2
Scientists created a zinc oxide-based nanocomposite catalyst that can break down polyester, polyurethane, and polyethylene microplastics under light, and simultaneously convert them into hydrogen gas. This dual function — destroying plastic pollution while generating a clean fuel — represents a potentially valuable approach to turning a major environmental problem into a usable energy resource.
Preliminary investigation of microorganisms potentially involved in microplastics degradation using an integrated metagenomic and biochemical approach
This study evaluated the photocatalytic degradation of microplastics using titanium dioxide nanoparticles under UV irradiation, achieving significant fragmentation of polystyrene particles within 48 hours. The approach shows promise for treating microplastic-contaminated water but generates smaller fragments as byproducts.
From photocatalysis to photon–phonon co-driven catalysis for methanol reforming to hydrogen and valuable by-products
This review covers hydrogen production from methanol using light-driven chemical reactions, examining new photocatalytic materials and methods. While not about microplastics directly, the clean energy technologies discussed could help reduce fossil fuel dependence and the plastic production that drives microplastic pollution.
Metal Oxides‐Based Nano/Microstructures for Photodegradation of Microplastics
This review covers how metal oxide materials, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, can be used as photocatalysts to break down microplastics using sunlight. Some approaches can even convert plastic waste into useful fuels and chemicals. The technology offers a promising eco-friendly strategy for cleaning microplastics from water and wastewater systems.
Indirect daylight oxidative degradation of polyethylene microplastics by a bio-waste modified TiO2-based material
Researchers developed an innovative method to break down polyethylene microplastics using a titanium oxide-based material combined with biowaste, requiring only indirect daylight rather than direct UV or heat. The approach achieved measurable oxidative degradation of the chemically resistant plastic under ambient conditions. The study suggests this low-energy photocatalytic method could be a practical tool for treating microplastic pollution in environmental settings.
Complete Photocatalytic Mineralization of Microplastic on TiO2 Nanoparticle Film
Scientists tested TiO2 nanoparticle films as a photocatalytic treatment for microplastics and found complete mineralization of polystyrene and polyethylene microspheres under UV irradiation, offering a potential destruction pathway for microplastic pollution.
Low environmental impact remediation of microplastics: Visible-light photocatalytic degradation of PET microplastics using bio-inspired C,N-TiO2/SiO2 photocatalysts
Researchers developed a new light-powered cleaning method using modified titanium dioxide to break down PET microplastics in water. The process works under visible light at room temperature, making it more practical and environmentally friendly than other cleanup approaches. This matters because PET is one of the most common plastics found polluting waterways.
TiO₂-based photocatalytic degradation of microplastics in water: Current status, challenges and future perspectives
This review examines how titanium dioxide-based materials can break down microplastics in water using light energy, generating reactive molecules that dismantle plastic polymer chains. While promising, the technology still faces challenges with efficiency and potential harmful byproducts, and more research is needed before it can be used at scale to clean microplastics from real-world water supplies.
Mechanistic vision on polypropylene microplastics degradation by solar radiation using TiO2 nanoparticle as photocatalyst
Researchers demonstrated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles acting as a photocatalyst under sunlight can degrade polypropylene microplastics in water. After 50 hours of exposure, the microplastics lost about 50% of their weight as the sunlight-activated catalyst broke down the plastic's chemical structure. The study offers a potential approach for using solar-powered photocatalysis to address microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.
Advances in Photocatalytic Degradation of Emerging Microplastics: A Systematic Review
This systematic review summarizes advances in using light-activated chemical processes to break down microplastics in the environment. The research shows that photocatalysis, especially using titanium dioxide, is a promising method for destroying microplastics without creating harmful byproducts, though more work is needed to speed up the process for real-world use.