ACS Catalysis,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
13(16), P. 10968 - 10975
Published: Aug. 4, 2023
Polystyrene
upcycling
to
valuable
commodity
feedstocks
is
essential
for
reducing
plastic
waste.
Photooxidative
degradation
has
emerged
as
a
method
converting
polystyrene
oxidized
aromatic
compounds.
Investigating
the
mechanism
of
photooxidative
understanding
pathways
generating
different
small
molecules.
Here,
we
leveraged
reactivity
differences
between
chlorine
and
bromine
radicals
study
polystyrene.
While
with
radical
yields
primarily
benzoic
acid
(50
mol
%),
shows
an
increased
preference
acetophenone
(4
%
both
products).
After
conducting
several
mechanistic
studies,
discovered
that
activation
3°
C–H
bonds
necessary
form
acetophenone.
However,
production,
second
hydrogen
atom
transfer
from
H–Br
enables
reformation
methyl
group
on
polymer
chain
end.
Lastly,
insights
in
hand,
added
exogenous
sources
increase
concentration
HBr
improved
yield,
becoming
major
product.
We
envision
our
into
will
further
enable
divergent
product
selectivity.
ACS Catalysis,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(7), P. 4865 - 4926
Published: March 18, 2024
Rapid
industrialization
and
development
have
led
to
a
tremendous
increase
in
the
use
of
various
types
plastic
commodities
daily
life.
For
past
several
years,
pollution
has
become
global
issue,
posing
serious
threat
mankind.
The
primary
issue
with
increasing
is
lack
proper
management
which
created
huge
havoc
environment.
From
initial
phase
waste
management,
been
discarded,
recycled,
downcycled,
or
dumped
into
landfills
large
proportion,
causing
extreme
damage
ecosystem.
Conventionally,
treated
via
thermal
processes
such
as
pyrolysis
incineration
plants
require
amount
capital
and,
therefore,
harms
aim
circular
economy.
Chemical
upcycling
gaining
attention
high-potential
catalytic
strategy
convert
plastics,
polyethylene
terephthalate,
polyethylene,
polystyrene,
etc.
fuels,
functionalized
polymers,
other
value-added
chemicals
having
direct
impact
on
affordability
viability.
In
this
review,
we
focused
photocatalysis,
electrocatalysis,
photoelectrocatalysis
effective
efficient
technologies.
These
approaches
can
lower
dependence
nonrenewable
resources
are
more
environmentally
friendly
contrast
conventional
approaches.
This
review
elaborately
discusses
pros
cons
provides
detailed
overview
potential
renewable
energy-driven
for
conversion
wastes
valuable
fuels
commodity
chemicals,
along
challenges
future
directions
emerging
approach
treatment.
Advanced Energy Materials,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
13(41)
Published: Sept. 24, 2023
The
huge
amount
of
plastic
wastes
has
become
a
pressing
global
environmental
problem,
leading
to
severe
pollution
and
resource
depletion
through
conventional
downcycling
technologies
like
incineration
landfilling.
In
contrast,
selective
upcycling
various
plastics
offers
promising
solution
for
converting
waste
into
valuable
products.
This
review
provides
comprehensive
overview
the
recent
advancements
in
innovative
catalytic
technologies,
including
thermocatalysis,
electrocatalysis,
photocatalysis.
Special
emphasis
is
placed
on
elucidating
reaction
mechanisms,
activating
designated
chemical
bonds
high
selectivity,
elaborating
above
techniques
terms
conditions
Finally,
application
prospects
future
development
trends
catalysis
are
discussed,
providing
insights
realizing
sustainable
circular
economy.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: March 20, 2024
Abstract
Only
a
small
proportion
of
global
plastic
waste
is
recycled,
which
most
mechanically
recycled
into
lower
quality
materials.
The
alternative,
chemical
recycling,
enables
renewed
production
pristine
materials,
but
generally
comes
at
high
energy
cost,
particularly
for
processes
like
pyrolysis.
This
review
focuses
on
light-driven
approaches
chemically
recycling
and
upcycling
waste,
with
emphasis
reduced
consumption
selective
transformations
not
achievable
heat-driven
methods.
We
focus
challenging
to
recycle
backbone
structures
composed
mainly
C‒C
bonds,
lack
functional
groups
i.e.,
esters
or
amides,
that
facilitate
e.g.,
by
solvolysis.
discuss
the
use
light,
either
in
conjunction
heat
drive
depolymerization
monomers
via
photocatalysis
transform
polymers
valuable
molecules.
structural
prerequisites
these
are
outlined,
highlighting
their
advantages
as
well
limitations.
conclude
an
outlook,
addressing
key
challenges,
opportunities,
provide
guidelines
future
photocatalyst
(PC)
development.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
63(19)
Published: March 11, 2024
Abstract
Photocatalytic
upcycling
and
depolymerization
of
vinyl
polymers
have
emerged
as
promising
strategies
to
combat
plastic
pollution
promote
a
circular
economy.
This
mini
review
critically
summarizes
current
developments
in
the
degradation
including
polystyrene
poly(meth)acrylates.
Of
these
material
classes,
polymethacrylates
possess
unique
possibility
undergo
photocatalytic
back
monomer
under
thermodynamically
favourable
conditions,
thus
presenting
significant
advantages
over
traditional
thermal
strategies.
Our
perspective
on
formidable
challenges
potential
future
directions
are
also
discussed.
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.
Chemical Reviews,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
124(16), P. 9457 - 9579
Published: Aug. 16, 2024
The
large
production
volumes
of
commodity
polyolefins
(specifically,
polyethylene,
polypropylene,
polystyrene,
and
poly(vinyl
chloride)),
in
conjunction
with
their
low
unit
values
multitude
short-term
uses,
have
resulted
a
significant
pressing
waste
management
challenge.
Only
small
fraction
these
is
currently
mechanically
recycled,
the
rest
being
incinerated,
accumulating
landfills,
or
leaking
into
natural
environment.
Since
are
energy-rich
materials,
there
considerable
interest
recouping
some
chemical
value
while
simultaneously
motivating
more
responsible
end-of-life
management.
An
emerging
strategy
catalytic
depolymerization,
which
portion
C-C
bonds
polyolefin
backbone
broken
assistance
catalyst
and,
cases,
additional
molecule
reagents.
When
products
molecules
materials
higher
own
right,
as
feedstocks,
process
called
upcycling.
This
review
summarizes
recent
progress
for
four
major
upcycling
strategies:
hydrogenolysis,
(hydro)cracking,
tandem
processes
involving
metathesis,
selective
oxidation.
Key
considerations
include
macromolecular
reaction
mechanisms
relative
to
mechanisms,
design
transformations,
effect
conditions
on
product
selectivity.
Metrics
describing
critically
evaluated,
an
outlook
future
advances
described.
JACS Au,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
4(8), P. 2746 - 2766
Published: Aug. 8, 2024
Photocatalysis
is
a
versatile
and
rapidly
developing
field
with
applications
spanning
artificial
photosynthesis,
photo-biocatalysis,
photoredox
catalysis
in
solution
or
supramolecular
structures,
utilization
of
abundant
metals
organocatalysts,
sustainable
synthesis,
plastic
degradation.
In
this
Perspective,
we
summarize
conclusions
from
an
interdisciplinary
workshop
young
principal
investigators
held
at
the
Lorentz
Center
Leiden
March
2023.
We
explore
how
diverse
fields
within
photocatalysis
can
benefit
one
another.
delve
into
intricate
interplay
between
these
subdisciplines,
by
highlighting
unique
challenges
opportunities
presented
each
multidisciplinary
approach
drive
innovation
lead
to
solutions
for
future.
Advanced
collaboration
knowledge
exchange
across
domains
further
enhance
potential
photocatalysis.
Artificial
photosynthesis
has
become
promising
technology
solar
fuel
generation,
instance,
via
water
splitting
CO
