Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling

Abstract The surge in global plastic production, reaching 400.3 million tons in 2022, has exacerbated environmental pollution, with only 11% of plastic being recycled. Catalytic recycling, particularly through hydrogenolysis and hydrocracking, offers a promising avenue for upcycling polyolefin plast...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Taeeun Kwon, Byeongchan Ahn, Ki Hyuk Kang, Wangyun Won, Insoo Ro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54495-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850064525240303616
author Taeeun Kwon
Byeongchan Ahn
Ki Hyuk Kang
Wangyun Won
Insoo Ro
author_facet Taeeun Kwon
Byeongchan Ahn
Ki Hyuk Kang
Wangyun Won
Insoo Ro
author_sort Taeeun Kwon
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The surge in global plastic production, reaching 400.3 million tons in 2022, has exacerbated environmental pollution, with only 11% of plastic being recycled. Catalytic recycling, particularly through hydrogenolysis and hydrocracking, offers a promising avenue for upcycling polyolefin plastic, comprising 55% of global plastic waste. This study investigates the influence of water on polyolefin depolymerization using Ru catalysts, revealing a promotional effect only when both metal and acid sites, particularly Brønsted acid site, are present. Findings highlight the impact of Ru content, metal-acid balance, and their proximity on this interaction, as well as their role in modulating the isomerization process, affecting product selectivity. Additionally, the interaction facilitates the suppression of coke formation, ultimately enhancing catalyst stability. A comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle assessment underscores the viability and environmental benefits of the process, particularly in the presence of water. These insights advance understanding and offer strategies for optimizing polyolefin plastic recycling processes.
format Article
id doaj-art-b371a83b6a20458ea6362bf8a4a9b33f
institution DOAJ
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-b371a83b6a20458ea6362bf8a4a9b33f2025-08-20T02:49:16ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-11-0115111510.1038/s41467-024-54495-5Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcyclingTaeeun Kwon0Byeongchan Ahn1Ki Hyuk Kang2Wangyun Won3Insoo Ro4Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Seoul National, University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea UniversityChemical & Process Technology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea UniversityDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Seoul National, University of Science and TechnologyAbstract The surge in global plastic production, reaching 400.3 million tons in 2022, has exacerbated environmental pollution, with only 11% of plastic being recycled. Catalytic recycling, particularly through hydrogenolysis and hydrocracking, offers a promising avenue for upcycling polyolefin plastic, comprising 55% of global plastic waste. This study investigates the influence of water on polyolefin depolymerization using Ru catalysts, revealing a promotional effect only when both metal and acid sites, particularly Brønsted acid site, are present. Findings highlight the impact of Ru content, metal-acid balance, and their proximity on this interaction, as well as their role in modulating the isomerization process, affecting product selectivity. Additionally, the interaction facilitates the suppression of coke formation, ultimately enhancing catalyst stability. A comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle assessment underscores the viability and environmental benefits of the process, particularly in the presence of water. These insights advance understanding and offer strategies for optimizing polyolefin plastic recycling processes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54495-5
spellingShingle Taeeun Kwon
Byeongchan Ahn
Ki Hyuk Kang
Wangyun Won
Insoo Ro
Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling
Nature Communications
title Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling
title_full Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling
title_fullStr Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling
title_full_unstemmed Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling
title_short Unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling
title_sort unraveling the role of water in mechanism changes for economically viable catalytic plastic upcycling
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54495-5
work_keys_str_mv AT taeeunkwon unravelingtheroleofwaterinmechanismchangesforeconomicallyviablecatalyticplasticupcycling
AT byeongchanahn unravelingtheroleofwaterinmechanismchangesforeconomicallyviablecatalyticplasticupcycling
AT kihyukkang unravelingtheroleofwaterinmechanismchangesforeconomicallyviablecatalyticplasticupcycling
AT wangyunwon unravelingtheroleofwaterinmechanismchangesforeconomicallyviablecatalyticplasticupcycling
AT insooro unravelingtheroleofwaterinmechanismchangesforeconomicallyviablecatalyticplasticupcycling