The world of plastic waste: A review

Nayanathara Thathsarani Pilapitiya, P.G.C.; Ratnayake, Amila Sandaruwan

doi:10.1016/j.clema.2024.100220

Cited by 80 publications

References 157 publications

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Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells on Polycarbonate Film Substrates

Skafi,

Castriotta,

Taheri

et al. 2024

Advanced Energy Materials

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The market for polycarbonate (PC), a versatile material, is growing rapidly. Despite its widespread use in many applications, poor chemical resistance and roughness have hindered its adoption as a substrate in solar cell technologies. Here, the first‐ever perovskite solar cell (PSC) is demonstrated on PC films. A solution‐processed planarizing layer is developed using a commercial ambient‐curable refractory resin through blade coating which decreased film roughness from 1.46 µm to 23 nm, lowered water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) by a half, and significantly improved solvent resistance enabling deposition of precursor inks. The PSCs are fabricated on the planarized PC substrate, with a customized ITO electrode with an average visible transparency of 78%, sheet resistance of 25 Ω/sq, and a safe bending radius of 20 mm. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached 13.0%. The unencapsulated PSCs retained 80% of initial PCE after 1776 h upon ISOS‐D‐1 shelf‐life tests. These results open new pathways for integrating solar cells in many products made from PC materials, such as ID cards, smart cards, windows, skylights, buildings, and product packaging, as well as introducing a new solution for planarization and solvent barrier that can be used for other types of optoelectronic devices (LEDs, transistors, etc.) and substrates.

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Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells on Polycarbonate Film Substrates

Skafi,

Castriotta,

Taheri

et al. 2024

Advanced Energy Materials

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Plastic‐to‐Treasure: Innovative advances in photo/electro‐catalytic upcycling technologies for commodity chemicals and fuels

Leiu,

Lim,

Chiah

et al. 2024

EcoEnergy

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Plastics are one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century that bring convenience to mankind. Owing to the commercialization of plastics, plastic pollution has become a petrifying environmental issue as the demand for plastic products overwhelms plastic recycling rates. However, the conventional methods (i.e., pyrolysis and gasification) require high pressure and temperature to treat waste plastic, resulting in ineluctably energy‐waste and secondary pollution. On the contrary, selective catalylic technologies provide a green approach to degrade plastics whilst also reforming them into value‐added chemicals and fuels. In this review, innovative green approaches, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis, have been comprehensively reviewed from the perspective of sustainable use of resources. Distinctive emphasis is placed on highlighting the merits of each technology and enlightening the state‐of‐the‐art modification strategies that strengthen the pillars of catalytic activities. The transformation of plastics with the above techniques is also elaborated in terms of the reaction conditions and products from various plastic waste as substrates. With a feasibility breakdown for each technology displayed in this study, insights on the challenges and prospects of innovative green technologies for plastic upcycling are underscored as well to facilitate the society moving toward a plastic circular economy.

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