Energy Breakthrough Converts Plastic Waste into Clean Fuels

Energy Breakthrough Converts Plastic Waste into Clean Fuels
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Researchers at the University of Delaware have achieved a major energy breakthrough by developing a new catalytic process that efficiently converts plastic waste, specifically low-density polyethylene (LDPE), into clean liquid fuels, Earth.com revealed.

The new technique uses hydrogenolysis with a specialized catalyst, known as a mesoporous MXene-supported ruthenium catalyst, to rapidly break down plastic polymers. By inserting silica pillars to separate the MXene layers, the team created more space for the molten plastic to interact with the catalyst.

This innovative process resulted in conversion rates nearly twice as fast as previous studies and guided the reaction toward producing valuable liquid fuels instead of harmful waste gases like methane.

According to senior author Dr. Dongxia Liu, this upcycling method treats discarded plastics “like solid fuels that can be transformed into useful liquid fuels and chemicals,” offering a faster and more environmentally friendly solution to the global plastic waste crisis. The study was published in the journal Chem Catalysis.