Graphene-Encapsulated Transition Metal@N/C Catalysts for Catalytic Copyrolysis of Biomass and Waste Plastics: Production of Linear α-Olefins and Aromatics

Abstract

Herein, we report N-graphitic modified transition metal nanoparticles supported on graphene as an efficient catalytic material for the production of valuable aromatics and linear αolefins via copyrolysis of wheat straw (WS) biomass and postconsumer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste plastic. The catalytic materials comprise transition metals (Mn, Ni, and Zn) supported on N-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-RGrO), prepared by pyrolyzing an in situ generated metal: phenanthroline complex with exfoliated graphene oxide. The catalytic performance of these materials was evaluated in pyrolysis−gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) analysis. The catalysts had different N configurations that acted as metal anchoring sites and enhanced the basicity of the support. The effects of catalysts on the copyrolysis products of WS and HDPE with various feed ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) were investigated. The results showed that the catalysts decreased the amount of oxygenates and increased the yield of monocyclic aromatics (MAHs) and linear α-olefins.

Pioneering Aromatic Generation from Plastic Waste via Catalytic Thermolysis: A Minireview

“…Zhang et al carried out the selective upgrading of LDPE over ZSM-5 zeolite under mild conditions and achieved 50.6% aromatic yield at 280 °C for 1 h . Zeolites, acid or alkaline solids, metal, and carbon-based catalysts are typical in plastic cracking. ,− …”