European Journal of Organic Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 5, 2024
Abstract
Plastics
play
a
crucial
role
in
the
survival
and
advancement
of
human
civilization.
However,
increasing
challenge
plastic
pollution
presents
significant
obstacles.
Disposal
methods
such
as
incineration
landfilling
result
substantial
resource
wastage
pose
potential
environmental
hazards.
The
slow
progress
recycling
reusing
waste
plastics
hinders
their
industrial
application
effective
response
to
crises.
Photocatalysis
offers
promising
solutions
for
future
recycling,
particularly
with
recent
increase
photocatalytic
degradation
polystyrene
(PS).
This
review
provides
comprehensive
overview
latest
advancements
photooxidation
PS
into
high‐value
chemicals.
Chemical Society Reviews,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
53(14), P. 7309 - 7327
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
Oxidative
degradation
is
a
powerful
method
to
degrade
plastics
into
oligomers
and
small
oxidized
products.
While
thermal
energy
has
been
conventionally
employed
as
an
external
stimulus,
recent
advances
in
photochemistry
have
enabled
photocatalytic
oxidative
of
polymers
under
mild
conditions.
This
tutorial
review
presents
overview
degradation,
from
its
earliest
examples
emerging
strategies.
briefly
discusses
the
motivation
development
with
focus
on
underlying
mechanisms.
Then,
we
will
examine
modern
studies
primarily
relevant
catalytic
degradation.
Lastly,
highlight
some
unique
using
unconventional
approaches
for
polymer
such
electrochemistry.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 10, 2025
Plastic
waste
is
a
major
environmental
issue;
converting
it
directly
into
valuable
chemicals
by
using
catalysts
promising
alternative
to
plastic
recycling.
Here,
we
report
the
selective
catalytic
cracking
of
polypropylene
(PP),
typical
commodity
plastic,
high-value
light
olefins
(C2–C5),
below
pyrolytic
temperature
(290
°C)
and
without
external
hydrogen
supply,
zeolite
catalysts.
Among
H+-form
zeolites
with
different
structures,
HMFI
showed
highest
yields
hydrocarbons
which
(C2–C5)
were
products.
The
HMFI-catalyzed
PP
conversion
was
applicable
upcycling
model
waste,
resulting
in
61.9%
hydrocarbon
yield.
results
situ
IR
experiments
small
amount
Brønsted
acid
sites
suggested
that
on
surface
are
indispensable
for
posited
be
active
short-chain
(oligomeric)
species
as
intermediate
Density
functional
theory
analyses
conducted
determine
plausible
reaction
pathways
adopting
2,4-dimethylheptene
shortest
unit
oligomeric
species.
obtained
show
β-scission
isobutene
propylene
(or
propyl
alkoxide
group)
via
carbocation
intermediates
an
activation
energy
118
kJ
mol–1.
Operando
UV–vis
under
conditions,
combined
ex
1H
NMR
13C
spent
catalyst,
some
further
converted
or
heavy
aromatics
(coke
deposit),
probably
carbenium
ion
Langmuir,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 4, 2025
Chemical
upcycling
of
polyethylene
(PE)
to
long-chain
alkylaromatics
through
tandem
hydrocracking/aromatization
has
potential
provide
value-added
chemicals.
However,
the
liquid
product
is
a
complex
mixture
alkanes,
alkylbenzenes,
and
polyaromatics,
limiting
its
direct
usability.
The
most
valuable
component
alkylbenzenes
because
their
as
precursors
anionic
surfactants.
In
this
study,
one-pot
reactive
separation
described.
Sulfonating
from
PE
with
silica
sulfuric
acid
followed
by
neutralization
sodium
hydroxide
yields
alkylbenzenesulfonates
(up
93
mol
%
selectivity),
along
separate
phase
lubricant-range
hydrocarbons
coproduct.
Compared
petroleum-based
dodecylbenzenesulfonates,
reported
PE-derived
surfactant
molecules
show
competitive
physicochemical
properties,
including
surface
tension
interfacial
tension.
According
life
cycle
assessment,
described
reaction
strategy
demonstrates
20%
lower
greenhouse
gas
emissions,
when
considering
uses
for
coproducts
upcycling,
compared
conventional
linear
(LAS)
manufacturing
directly
petrochemical
feedstocks.
