ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification

Microplastics, particularly polystyrene (PS), are significant environmental pollutants due to their persistence and harmful effects on ecosystems and health. To address this issue, we explored hydrothermal gasification (HTG) as a novel approach for PS degradation using molecular dynamics simulations...

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Main Authors: Thi Be Ta Truong, Do Tuong Ha, Hien Duy Tong, Thuat T. Trinh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Journal Advances
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666821125000134
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author Thi Be Ta Truong
Do Tuong Ha
Hien Duy Tong
Thuat T. Trinh
author_facet Thi Be Ta Truong
Do Tuong Ha
Hien Duy Tong
Thuat T. Trinh
author_sort Thi Be Ta Truong
collection DOAJ
description Microplastics, particularly polystyrene (PS), are significant environmental pollutants due to their persistence and harmful effects on ecosystems and health. To address this issue, we explored hydrothermal gasification (HTG) as a novel approach for PS degradation using molecular dynamics simulations with ReaxFF. Our research reveals that HTG effectively converts PS into renewable syngas through complex reaction pathways influenced by temperature and water content. Temperature is critical in determining the dominant reaction mechanisms and syngas yield, while water plays a dual role of enhancing hydrogen production but also increasing activation energy for PS decomposition. The calculated activation energies vary significantly (198–289 kJ/mol), suggesting that optimizing reaction conditions is essential to maximize efficiency and hydrogen content in the produced syngas. This study provides insights into designing effective strategies for managing PS microplastic waste via hydrothermal gasification, aiming at a more sustainable future by converting plastics into valuable resources.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2666-8211
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Chemical Engineering Journal Advances
spelling doaj-art-3a0c2a67233246bca630826646c340c02025-08-20T02:14:27ZengElsevierChemical Engineering Journal Advances2666-82112025-05-012210071610.1016/j.ceja.2025.100716ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasificationThi Be Ta Truong0Do Tuong Ha1Hien Duy Tong2Thuat T. Trinh3Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, 19 Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet NamFaculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, 19 Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet NamFaculty of Engineering, Vietnamese-German University (VGU), Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province, Viet NamPorelab, Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU, Norway; Corresponding author.Microplastics, particularly polystyrene (PS), are significant environmental pollutants due to their persistence and harmful effects on ecosystems and health. To address this issue, we explored hydrothermal gasification (HTG) as a novel approach for PS degradation using molecular dynamics simulations with ReaxFF. Our research reveals that HTG effectively converts PS into renewable syngas through complex reaction pathways influenced by temperature and water content. Temperature is critical in determining the dominant reaction mechanisms and syngas yield, while water plays a dual role of enhancing hydrogen production but also increasing activation energy for PS decomposition. The calculated activation energies vary significantly (198–289 kJ/mol), suggesting that optimizing reaction conditions is essential to maximize efficiency and hydrogen content in the produced syngas. This study provides insights into designing effective strategies for managing PS microplastic waste via hydrothermal gasification, aiming at a more sustainable future by converting plastics into valuable resources.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666821125000134Hydrothermal gasificationPolystyrene microplasticsMolecular simulationsReaxFFKinetics
spellingShingle Thi Be Ta Truong
Do Tuong Ha
Hien Duy Tong
Thuat T. Trinh
ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
Chemical Engineering Journal Advances
Hydrothermal gasification
Polystyrene microplastics
Molecular simulations
ReaxFF
Kinetics
title ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
title_full ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
title_fullStr ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
title_full_unstemmed ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
title_short ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
title_sort reaxff molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
topic Hydrothermal gasification
Polystyrene microplastics
Molecular simulations
ReaxFF
Kinetics
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666821125000134
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AT hienduytong reaxffmoleculardynamicsstudiesontheimpactofreactionconditionsinpolystyreneconversionthroughhydrothermalgasification
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