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Cho H, Jin A, Kim SJ, Kwon Y, Lee E, Shin JJ, Kim BH. Conversion of Polyethylene to Low-Molecular-Weight Oil Products at Moderate Temperatures Using Nickel/Zeolite Nanocatalysts. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:1863. [PMID: 38673220 PMCID: PMC11051393 DOI: 10.3390/ma17081863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used plastic, known for its high mechanical strength and affordability, rendering it responsible for ~70% of packaging waste and contributing to microplastic pollution. The cleavage of the carbon chain can induce the conversion of PE wastes into low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, such as petroleum oils, waxes, and natural gases, but the thermal degradation of PE is challenging and requires high temperatures exceeding 400 °C due to its lack of specific chemical groups. Herein, we prepare metal/zeolite nanocatalysts by incorporating small-sized nickel nanoparticles into zeolite to lower the degradation temperature of PE. With the use of nanocatalysts, the degradation temperature can be lowered to 350 °C under hydrogen conditions, compared to the 400 °C required for non-catalytic pyrolysis. The metal components of the catalysts facilitate hydrogen adsorption, while the zeolite components stabilize the intermediate radicals or carbocations formed during the degradation process. The successful pyrolysis of PE at low temperatures yields valuable low-molecular-weight oil products, offering a promising pathway for the upcycling of PE into higher value-added products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyungjin Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Ahyeon Jin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Sun Ju Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Youngmin Kwon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Eunseo Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Jaeman J. Shin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Department of Green Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hyo Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Department of Green Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea
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2
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Lv H, Huang F, Zhang F. Upcycling Waste Plastics with a C-C Backbone by Heterogeneous Catalysis. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:5077-5089. [PMID: 38358312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastics with an inert carbon-carbon (C-C) backbone, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are the most widely used types of plastic in human activities. However, many of these polymers were directly discarded in nature after use, and few were appropriately recycled. This not only threatens the natural environment but also leads to the waste of carbon resources. Conventional chemical recycling of these plastics, including pyrolysis and catalytic cracking, requires a high energy input due to the chemical inertness of C-C bonds and C-H bonds and leads to complex product distribution. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of catalysts and the introduction of small molecules as additional coreactants, which could potentially overcome these challenges. In this Review, we summarize and highlight catalytic strategies that address these issues in upcycling C-C backbone plastics with small molecules, particularly in heterogeneous catalysis. We believe that this review will inspire the development of upcycling methods for C-C backbone plastics using small molecules and heterogeneous catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huidong Lv
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
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Yan M, Yang Y, Chen F, Hantoko D, Pariatamby A, Kanchanatip E. Development of reusable Ni/γ-Al 2O 3 catalyst for catalytic hydrolysis of waste PET bottles into terephthalic acid. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:102560-102573. [PMID: 37668784 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29596-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to efficiently recycle waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, this study aimed to enhance the hydrolysis process to convert PET bottle into valuable terephthalic acid (TPA) by developing effective and reusable Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. A series of Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by the impregnation method with different Ni loadings (5-15 wt%) and was characterized by various techniques including XRD, SEM-EDX, and N2 adsorption-desorption. The prepared catalysts were employed in the catalytic hydrolysis of PET under varied influencing factors, namely reaction temperature (220-280 °C), reaction time (20-60 min), and Ni loading. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the operating condition to produce the maximum TPA yield, and the optimal values were determined as follows: reaction temperature = 267.07 °C, reaction time = 48.54 min, and Ni loading = 12.90 wt%, giving the highest TPA yield of 97.06%. The R2, F-value, and P-value of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) were 0.9982, 424.96, and <0.0001, respectively, indicating a good fit of the model. The results from XRD and FTIR measurement of the produced TPA indicated the high purity and comparable chemical structures to the TPA standard. In addition, the 12.9Ni/Al catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity in repeated cycles of hydrolysis process of PET and could be regenerated by calcination to restore its catalytic activity. This finding could be a promising alternative for an effective TPA recovery from waste plastic bottles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Yan
- Institute of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
- Zhejiang Carbon Neutral Innovation Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Yayong Yang
- Institute of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Institute of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Dwi Hantoko
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Refining & Advanced Chemicals, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Agamuthu Pariatamby
- Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Ekkachai Kanchanatip
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Catalysis and Adsorption, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
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Vance B, Najmi S, Kots PA, Wang C, Jeon S, Stach EA, Zakharov DN, Marinkovic N, Ehrlich SN, Ma L, Vlachos DG. Structure-Property Relationships for Nickel Aluminate Catalysts in Polyethylene Hydrogenolysis with Low Methane Selectivity. JACS AU 2023; 3:2156-2165. [PMID: 37654574 PMCID: PMC10466342 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Earth-abundant metals have recently been demonstrated as cheap catalyst alternatives to scarce noble metals for polyethylene hydrogenolysis. However, high methane selectivities hinder industrial feasibility. Herein, we demonstrate that low-temperature ex-situ reduction (350 °C) of coprecipitated nickel aluminate catalysts yields a methane selectivity of <5% at moderate polymer deconstruction (25-45%). A reduction temperature up to 550 °C increases the methane selectivity nearly sevenfold. Catalyst characterization (XRD, XAS, 27Al MAS NMR, H2 TPR, XPS, and CO-IR) elucidates the complex process of Ni nanoparticle formation, and air-free XPS directly after reaction reveals tetrahedrally coordinated Ni2+ cations promote methane production. Metallic and the specific cationic Ni appear responsible for hydrogenolysis of internal and terminal C-C scissions, respectively. A structure-methane selectivity relationship is discovered to guide the design of Ni-based catalysts with low methane generation. It paves the way for discovering other structure-property relations in plastics hydrogenolysis. These catalysts are also effective for polypropylene hydrogenolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon
C. Vance
- Center
for Plastics Innovation, University of Delaware, 221 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Sean Najmi
- Center
for Plastics Innovation, University of Delaware, 221 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Pavel A. Kots
- Center
for Plastics Innovation, University of Delaware, 221 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Cong Wang
- Center
for Plastics Innovation, University of Delaware, 221 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Sungho Jeon
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Eric A. Stach
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Dmitri N. Zakharov
- Center
for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven
National Laboratory, 735 Brookhaven Avenue, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Nebojsa Marinkovic
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500W 120th Street, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Steven N. Ehrlich
- National
Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National
Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Lu Ma
- National
Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National
Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Dionisios G. Vlachos
- Center
for Plastics Innovation, University of Delaware, 221 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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Tennakoon A, Wu X, Meirow M, Howell D, Willmon J, Yu J, Lamb JV, Delferro M, Luijten E, Huang W, Sadow AD. Two Mesoporous Domains Are Better Than One for Catalytic Deconstruction of Polyolefins. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:17936-17944. [PMID: 37540829 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Catalytic hydrogenolysis of polyolefins into valuable liquid, oil, or wax-like hydrocarbon chains for second-life applications is typically accompanied by the hydrogen-wasting co-formation of low value volatiles, notably methane, that increase greenhouse gas emissions. Catalytic sites confined at the bottom of mesoporous wells, under conditions in which the pore exerts the greatest influence over the mechanism, are capable of producing less gases than unconfined sites. A new architecture was designed to emphasize this pore effect, with the active platinum nanoparticles embedded between linear, hexagonal mesoporous silica and gyroidal cubic MCM-48 silica (mSiO2/Pt/MCM-48). This catalyst deconstructs polyolefins selectively into ∼C20-C40 paraffins and cleaves C-C bonds at a rate (TOF = 4.2 ± 0.3 s-1) exceeding that of materials lacking these combined features while generating negligible volatile side products including methane. The time-independent product distribution is consistent with a processive mechanism for polymer deconstruction. In contrast to time- and polymer length-dependent products obtained from non-porous catalysts, mSiO2/Pt/MCM-48 yields a C28-centered Gaussian distribution of waxy hydrocarbons from polyolefins of varying molecular weight, composition, and physical properties, including low-density polyethylene, isotactic polypropylene, ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene, and mixtures of multiple, post-industrial polyolefins. Coarse-grained simulation reveals that the porous-core architecture enables the paraffins to diffuse away from the active platinum site, preventing secondary reactions that produce gases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akalanka Tennakoon
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Chemical and Biological Sciences Division, Ames National Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Xun Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Chemical and Biological Sciences Division, Ames National Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Max Meirow
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Daniel Howell
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Jarod Willmon
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Jiaqi Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Jessica V Lamb
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Massimiliano Delferro
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Erik Luijten
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Wenyu Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Chemical and Biological Sciences Division, Ames National Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Aaron D Sadow
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Chemical and Biological Sciences Division, Ames National Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
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Christoff-Tempesta T, Epps TH. Ionic-Liquid-Mediated Deconstruction of Polymers for Advanced Recycling and Upcycling. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:1058-1070. [PMID: 37516988 PMCID: PMC10433533 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) are a promising medium to assist in the advanced (chemical and biological) recycling of polymers, owing to their tunable catalytic activity, tailorable chemical functionality, low vapor pressures, and thermal stability. These unique physicochemical properties, combined with ILs' capacity to solubilize plastics waste and biopolymers, offer routes to deconstruct polymers at reduced temperatures (and lower energy inputs) versus conventional bulk and solvent-based methods, while also minimizing unwanted side reactions. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the use of ILs as catalysts and mediators in advanced recycling, with an emphasis on chemical recycling, by examining the interplay between IL chemistry and deconstruction thermodynamics, deconstruction kinetics, IL recovery, and product recovery. We also consider several potential environmental benefits and concerns associated with employing ILs for advanced recycling over bulk- or solvent-mediated deconstruction techniques, such as reduced chemical escape by volatilization, decreased energy demands, toxicity, and environmental persistence. By analyzing IL-mediated polymer deconstruction across a breadth of macromolecular systems, we identify recent innovations, current challenges, and future opportunities in IL application toward circular polymer economies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ty Christoff-Tempesta
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Thomas H. Epps
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Center
for Research in Soft matter and Polymers (CRiSP), University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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7
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Qiu Z, Lin S, Chen Z, Chen A, Zhou Y, Cao X, Wang Y, Lin BL. A reusable, impurity-tolerant and noble metal-free catalyst for hydrocracking of waste polyolefins. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5332. [PMID: 37343106 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
One-step conversion of low-purity polyolefins to value-added products without pretreatments represents a great opportunity for chemical recycling of waste plastics. However, additives, contaminants, and heteroatom-linking polymers tend to be incompatible with catalysts that break down polyolefins. Here, we disclose a reusable, noble metal-free and impurity-tolerant bifunctional catalyst, MoSx-Hbeta, for hydroconversion of polyolefins into branched liquid alkanes under mild conditions. The catalyst works for a wide scope of polyolefins, including different kinds of high-molecular weight polyolefins, polyolefins mixed with various heteroatom-linking polymers, contaminated polyolefins, and postconsumer polyolefins with/without cleaning under 250°C and 20 to 30 bar H2 in 6 to 12 hours. A 96% yield of small alkanes was successfully achieved even at a temperature as low as 180°C. These results demonstrate the great potentials of hydroconversion in practical use of waste plastics as a largely untapped carbon feedstock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zetian Qiu
- School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Lin
- School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Anqi Chen
- School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Yitian Zhou
- School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Xudong Cao
- School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Wang
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 239 Zhangheng Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201204, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo-Lin Lin
- School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
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Kim T, Nguyen-Phu H, Kwon T, Kang KH, Ro I. Investigating the impact of TiO 2 crystalline phases on catalytic properties of Ru/TiO 2 for hydrogenolysis of polyethylene plastic waste. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121876. [PMID: 37263565 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A series of TiO2-supported Ru catalysts with different TiO2 crystalline phases was synthesized and employed for the hydrogenolysis of polyethylene (PE). CO chemisorption, high-angle annular dark-field-scanning transmission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and CO-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that the degree of strong metal-support interactions (SMSIs) varied depending on the type of the TiO2 phase and the reduction temperature, eventually influencing the catalysis of PE hydrogenolysis. Among the synthesized catalysts, Ru/TiO2 with the rutile phase (Ru/TiO2-R) exhibited the highest catalytic activity after high-temperature reduction at 500 °C, indicating that a certain degree of SMSI is necessary for ensuring high activity in PE hydrogenolysis. Ru/TiO2-R could be successfully employed for the hydrogenolysis of post-consumer plastic wastes such as LDPE bottles to produce valuable chemicals (liquid fuel and wax) in high yields of 74.7%. This work demonstrates the possibility of harnessing the SMSIs in the design and synthesis of active catalysts for PE hydrogenolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehyup Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Huy Nguyen-Phu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeeun Kwon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hyuk Kang
- Chemical & Process Technology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Insoo Ro
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 01811, Republic of Korea.
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