Research Square (Research Square),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 18, 2024
Abstract
Photocatalytic
conversion
has
emerged
as
a
promising
strategy
for
harnessing
renewable
solar
energy
in
the
valorization
of
plastic
waste.
However,
research
on
photocatalytic
transformation
plastics
into
valuable
nitrogen-containing
chemicals
remains
limited.
In
this
study,
we
present
visible-light-driven
pathway
polylactic
acid
(PLA)
alanine
under
mild
conditions.
This
process
is
catalyzed
by
defect-engineered
CdS
nanocrystals
synthesized
at
room
temperature.
We
observed
distinctive
volcano-shaped
relationship
between
sulfur
vacancy
content
and
corresponding
production
rate
reaching
up
to
4.95
mmol/g
catalyst/h
70
oC.
Ultraviolet-visible
(UV-vis)
spectra,
photocurrent
Fourier-transform
infrared
(FT-IR)
spectra
revealed
crucial
role
vacancies
enhancing
active
sites
surface.
Sulfur
vacancy-rich
exhibited
high
stability,
maintaining
catalytic
performance
morphology
over
several
runs,
effectively
converted
real-life
PLA
products.
work
not
only
highlights
facile
approach
fabricating
catalysts
but
also
presents
sustainable
method
upcycling
waste
chemicals.
ACS Catalysis,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(11), P. 8694 - 8719
Published: May 20, 2024
Microplastics
(MPs,
particle
size
<
5
mm)
have
become
increasingly
ubiquitous
on
Earth
due
to
the
cleavage
and
degradation
of
heavy
use
plastics.
MPs
recently
been
reported
be
detected
in
human
blood,
alveoli,
breast
milk,
embryos,
other
organs,
raising
concerns
about
their
environmental
risks.
Photocatalysis
has
identified
as
a
potential
means
for
conversion,
which
utilizes
solar
energy
stimulate
semiconductor
photocatalyst.
However,
study
photocatalytic
conversion
is
still
incubation
period.
This
review
overviews
current
state-of-the-art
technologies
conversion.
Then,
fundamental
principles,
challenges,
analytical
techniques,
evaluation
indexes
reforming
are
highlighted.
We
systematically
summarized
recent
advances
key
factors
influencing
performance.
Finally,
we
propose
some
perspectives
developing
efficient
systems
MPs.
will
provide
guideline
applying
technology
MPs,
significantly
contribute
this
emerging
research
field.
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 2, 2025
Abstract
Plastic
products
bring
convenience
to
various
aspects
of
the
daily
lives
due
their
lightweight,
durability
and
versatility,
but
massive
accumulation
post‐consumer
plastic
waste
is
posing
significant
environmental
challenges.
Catalytic
methods
can
effectively
convert
into
value‐added
feedstocks,
with
catalysts
playing
an
important
role
in
regulating
yield
selectivity
products.
This
review
explores
latest
advancements
advanced
applied
thermal
catalysis,
microwave‐assisted
photocatalysis,
electrocatalysis,
enzymatic
catalysis
reaction
systems
for
chemical
recycling
valuable
feedstocks.
Specifically,
pathways
mechanisms
involved
plastics
process
are
analyzed
presented,
strengths
weaknesses
employed
across
different
described.
In
addition,
structure‐function
relationship
these
discussed.
Herein,
it
provided
insights
design
novel
outline
challenges
future
opportunities
terms
developing
tackle
“white
pollution”
crisis.
Journal of the American Chemical Society,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 29, 2025
Photocatalytic
upcycling
of
waste
polyolefins
into
value-added
chemicals
provides
promise
in
plastic
management
and
resource
utilization.
Previous
works
demonstrate
that
can
be
converted
carboxylic
acids,
with
CO2
as
the
final
oxidation
product.
It
is
still
challenging
to
explore
more
transformation
products,
particularly
mild-oxidation
products
such
alcohols,
because
their
instability
compared
polymer
substrates,
which
are
prone
during
catalytic
reactions.
In
this
work,
we
propose
an
efficient
strategy
regulate
product
type
through
precise
control
radicals,
intermediates,
reaction
paths.
Taking
commonly
used
photocatalyst
C3N4
example,
its
major
acids
CO2.
When
MoS2
introduced
construct
a
Z-scheme
heterostructure,
gas
significantly
reduced
alcohols
appear
high
yield
1358.8
μmol
gcat-1
selectivity
up
80.3%.
This
primarily
attributed
presence
•OH
radicals
from
oxygen
reduction,
acting
key
role
alcohol
formation
while
simultaneously
suppressing
competing
pathways
•O2-
1O2,
thus
reducing
overoxidation
products.
The
β-scission
C-C
bonds
chains
generates
intermediate
alkyl
species,
followed
by
combination
produce
methanol,
energetically
favorable
for
MoS2/C3N4.
contrast,
species
couple
form
formic
acid,
C3N4.
work
new
approaches
controlling
types
offers
insights
involved
polyolefin
photorefinery.
AIChE Journal,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
70(10)
Published: July 1, 2024
Abstract
Chemical
upcycling
of
waste
plastics
represents
an
appealing
way
to
achieve
a
circular
economy
and
mitigate
environmental
problems
but
remains
huge
challenge.
Herein,
we
report
heterojunction
photocatalyst
(ZnInFe‐mixed
metal
oxide,
denoted
as
ZnInFe‐MMO)
for
the
rapid
valorization
polylactic
acid
(PLA)
via
developed
alkali‐assisted
photocatalysis
system.
The
ZnInFe‐MMO
featured
with
double
Z‐Scheme
structure
is
favorable
light
harvesting
electron‐hole
separation.
Moreover,
operando
characterizations
theoretical
simulations
confirm
that
affords
remarkably
decreased
barrier
rate‐determining
step
(formation
*LA
intermediate)
while
inhibiting
CC
breakage
in
side
reaction.
As
result,
attains
~100%
conversion
~99%
selectivity
toward
sodium
lactate
(NaLA),
which
preponderant
state‐of‐the‐art
photocatalysts.
In
addition,
such
effective
route
also
demonstrated
various
real‐world
PLA
waste.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: Jan. 20, 2025
Photocatalytic
conversion
has
emerged
as
a
promising
strategy
for
harnessing
renewable
solar
energy
in
the
valorization
of
plastic
waste.
However,
research
on
photocatalytic
transformation
plastics
into
valuable
nitrogen-containing
chemicals
remains
limited.
In
this
study,
we
present
visible-light-driven
pathway
polylactic
acid
(PLA)
alanine
under
mild
conditions.
This
process
is
catalyzed
by
defect-engineered
CdS
nanocrystals
synthesized
at
room
temperature.
We
observe
distinctive
volcano-shaped
relationship
between
sulfur
vacancy
content
and
corresponding
production
rate
reaching
up
to
4.95
mmol/g
catalyst/h
70
oC.
Ultraviolet-visible,
photocurrent,
electrochemical
impedance,
transient
absorption,
photoluminescence,
Fourier-transform
infrared
spectroscopy
collectively
highlight
crucial
role
vacancies.
The
surface
vacancies
serve
adsorption
sites
lactic
acid;
however,
an
excessive
number
can
hinder
charge
transfer
efficiency.
Sulfur
vacancy-rich
exhibits
high
stability
with
maintained
performance
morphology
over
several
runs,
effectively
converts
real-life
PLA
products
shows
potential
amination
other
polyesters.
work
not
only
highlights
facile
approach
fabricating
catalysts
but
also
presents
sustainable
method
upcycling
waste
chemicals.
Photocatalysis
offers
upcycle
Here
authors
demonstrate
how
defective
cadmium
sulfide
photocatalysts
convert
real-world
amino
visible
light.
Microstructures,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
5(1)
Published: Feb. 17, 2025
Biomass,
as
an
emerging
environmental
and
renewable
resource
derived
from
various
green
sources,
is
increasingly
being
recognized
for
its
inherent
structural
characteristics
that
are
conducive
to
the
production
of
high-value
chemicals.
The
complicated
structure
oxygen-rich
nature
biomass
derivatives
necessitate
targeted
conversion,
typically
involving
liquid-phase
hydrogenation
or
addition
acidic
basic
environments.
These
processes
impose
stringent
requirements
on
efficiency
durability
catalysts.
Recently,
innovation
single
atom
catalysts
(SACs)
with
individual
catalytic
sites
dispersed
supports
has
demonstrated
high
good
selectivity.
Owing
their
atomic
utilization
cost-efficiency,
SACs
have
emerged
one
most
promising
heterogeneous
This
review
summarizes
current
progress
conversion
mediated
by
SACs.
Significant
emphasis
placed
unique
active
reaction
mechanisms
in
kinds
methods
(thermocatalysis,
electrocatalysis,
photocatalysis).
In
order
facilitate
comparison,
reactions
categorized
according
type
raw
material
(cellulose,
hemicellulose,
lignin,
etc.
).
Especially,
developing
strategies
preparing
summarized
better
satisfy
industrial
requirements.
Finally,
we
provide
anticipatory
outlook
future
developments
this
field,
focusing
advanced
systems.
Advanced Energy Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 24, 2025
Abstract
Photoreforming
of
polylactic
acid
(PLA)
waste
into
valuable
chemicals
offers
a
promising
approach
for
environmental
protection
and
valorization,
yet
faces
challenges
low
yields
harsh
conditions.
Herein,
Cd
0.5
Zn
S
nanotwin
catalyst
decorated
with
Ru
single
atoms
clusters
is
reported,
enabling
selective
photoreforming
PLA
pyruvic
(PA)
H
2
.
It
demonstrated
that
favor
PA
formation
via
hydroxyl
dissociation,
while
the
further
incorporation
serve
as
active
sites
production.
This
synergistic
effect
significantly
enhances
photocatalytic
performance,
achieving
96.8%
selectivity
efficient
production
record‐breaking
apparent
quantum
efficiency
83.7%
at
400
nm.
scalable
outdoor
processes,
utilizing
direct
1
m
sunlight
irradiation
to
deliver
≈1191
mL
h
−1
47.27
mmol
from
waste,
paving
viable
pathway
large‐scale
simultaneous
high‐value
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
12(31), P. 11754 - 11766
Published: July 21, 2024
Alanine
as
a
versatile
chemical
can
be
synthesized
by
catalytic
amination
of
biomass-derived
polylactic
acid
(PLA)
in
ammonia.
However,
accelerating
the
production
rate
alanine
with
high
selectivity
through
upcycling
PLA
waste
remains
great
challenge.
Herein,
we
proposed
Ru/Ce–In-mixed
metal
oxide
(MMO)
catalysts
decoration
indium
and
found
that
they
could
efficiently
facilitate
into
toward
alanine.
Among
Ru/Ce–In-MMO
different
molar
ratios
Ce/In,
Ru/Ce3In-MMO
exhibited
outstanding
performance
achieved
an
impressive
yield
up
to
76.1%
excellent
3.01
molAla·molRu–1·h–1
at
180
°C
for
18
h
under
0.1
MPa
N2,
which
was
remarkably
higher
than
those
individual
Ru/CeO2
Ru/In2O3
catalysts.
These
results
revealed
incorporation
In
not
only
created
electron-rich
coordination
environment
stabilizing
Ru
particles
but
also
reinforced
interaction
between
Ce
species,
beneficial
dehydrogenation,
amination,
hydrogenation
steps
interacting
intermediates
formed
during
reaction
process.
Most
importantly,
resulted
ratio
Ce3+/(Ce3+
+
Ce4+)
(28.6%
vs
16.2%),
plentiful
oxygen
vacancies
(48.5%
12.7%),
larger
specific
surface
areas,
stronger
total
basicity,
collectively/synergistically
improved
activity
Furthermore,
systemic
studies
confirmed
as-prepared
recyclability
without
significant
deactivation
over
three
consecutive
cycles.
This
study
provides
new
vistas
rationally
design
efficient
sustainable
waste.
