Photochemical upcycling and recycling of plastics: achievements and future opportunities

Mountanea, Olga G.; Skolia, Elpida; Kokotos, Christoforos G.

doi:10.1039/d4gc01556h

Green Chem.

2024

DOI: 10.1039/d4gc01556h

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Photochemical upcycling and recycling of plastics: achievements and future opportunities

Olga G. Mountanea,

Elpida Skolia,

Christoforos G. Kokotos

Abstract: Recent developments in the photochemical upcycling and recycling of plastics.

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2024

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Cited by 7 publications

References 81 publications

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Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

De Abreu,

Taton,

Bassani

2024

Angewandte Chemie

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Approaches aimed at deconstructing PS by photocatalytic means struggle to generate high‐energy species capable of cleaving the C‐H and C‐C bonds of PS. We show herein that 9‐mesityl‐10‐methylacridinium perchlorate (MA) is capable of upcycling various grades of PS susbstrates into benzoic acid (BAc) up to 40%, with small proportions of acetophenone and formic acid, under visible light (456 nm) or through solar radiation. Time‐resolved emission and absorption spectroscopy evidence that a reaction with oxygen is the primary photochemical step in oxygen‐saturated solutions, accounting for 77% of the photons absorbed vs. 1% for the direct reaction with PS. These results suggest a mechanism in which MA‐mediated photocycling of PS to BAc occurs through the abstraction of benzylic H atoms by reactive oxygen species generated by energy or electron transfer from the excited state of MA. Addition of triplet O2 to these radicals, followed by intra‐ or inter‐molecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), generates C‐ or O‐centered radicals then undergoing β‐scission or hydroperoxide fragmentation. The formation of intermediate oligomers functionalized by terminal carbonyl groups is demonstrated by both infrared analysis and mass spectrometry. These oligomers undergo further photoinduced conversion in the absence of MA, as evidenced by size exclusion chromatography analysis.

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Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

De Abreu,

Taton,

Bassani

2024

Angewandte Chemie

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

De Abreu,

Taton,

Bassani

2024

Angew Chem Int Ed

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Photocatalytic Upcycling of Plastic Waste into Syngas by ZnS/Ga₂O₃ Z‐Scheme Heterojunction

Xu,

Shan,

Jiang

et al. 2024

ChemSusChem

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The photocatalytic conversion of plastic waste into value‐added products using solar energy presents a promising approach for promoting environmental sustainability. Nonetheless, the emission of CO2 during the conventional photocatalytic degradation process remains a major hurdle that impedes its further development. In this study, we propose an efficient photocatalytic conversion of polyethylene plastic into syngas (CO + H2 mixtures) by using a ZnS/Ga2O3 Z‐scheme heterojunction photocatalyst. It is found that the strong redox capability of photogenerated holes and electrons in the Z‐scheme heterojunction photocatalyst can promote the oxidative depolymerization of PE plastic, concurrently enabling the efficient reduction of the intermediate product CO2 into syngas. Furthermore, this system also demonstrates applicability in the conversion and upcycling of other polyolefin plastics including polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride. Our findings highlight the potential of polyolefin plastics photoreforming for the production of syngas under environmentally benign conditions.

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Photochemical upcycling and recycling of plastics: achievements and future opportunities

Abstract: Recent developments in the photochemical upcycling and recycling of plastics.

Cited by 7 publications

References 81 publications

Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

Photocatalytic Upcycling of Plastic Waste into Syngas by ZnS/Ga₂O₃ Z‐Scheme Heterojunction

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Photochemical upcycling and recycling of plastics: achievements and future opportunities

Abstract: Recent developments in the photochemical upcycling and recycling of plastics.

Cited by 7 publications

References 81 publications

Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

Reassessing the Photochemical Upcycling of Polystyrene Using Acridinium Salts

Photocatalytic Upcycling of Plastic Waste into Syngas by ZnS/Ga2O3 Z‐Scheme Heterojunction

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Photocatalytic Upcycling of Plastic Waste into Syngas by ZnS/Ga₂O₃ Z‐Scheme Heterojunction