From Plastic Waste to Treasure: Selective Upcycling through Catalytic Technologies

TL;DR

This review discusses recent advances in catalytic upcycling technologies like thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis for converting plastic waste into valuable products, aiming to promote a sustainable circular economy.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of innovative catalytic methods, emphasizing reaction mechanisms, selectivity, and future prospects for plastic waste upcycling.

Findings

Advances in thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis for plastic upcycling.

Insights into reaction mechanisms and selectivity control.

Discussion of future trends and application prospects.

Abstract

The huge amount of plastic wastes has become a pressing global environmental problem, leading to severe environmental pollution and resource depletion through conventional downcycling technologies like incineration and landfilling. In contrast, selective upcycling of various plastics offers a promising solution for converting waste plastics into valuable products. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in innovative catalytic technologies, including thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis. Special emphasis is placed on elucidating the reaction mechanisms, activating designated chemical bonds for high selectivity, and elaborating the above techniques in terms of reaction conditions and products. Finally, the application prospects and future development trends in plastic catalysis are discussed, providing valuable insights for realizing a sustainable circular plastic economy.