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During the study, scientists decomposed condensation polymers into compounds that can be used as fuel.
Scientists at Texas A&M University are working to break down plastic before it enters the environment. About this write Interesting Engineering.
Microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 mm) contribute to global warming by disrupting food chains and damaging ecosystems with toxic chemicals. The research uses small amounts of solvents that act as hydrogen sources to break down a special class of plastics called condensation polymers.
During the study, scientists decomposed condensation polymers into compounds that can be used as fuel. They used organic compounds called liquid organic hydrogen carriers to store hydrogen and use this hydrogen to break down polymers.
The team developed catalysts to use the stored hydrogen after the breakdown of these condensation polymers. The research shows how the surfaces of the catalysts use the hydrogen left over from these organic supports to convert PET into p-xylene, a molecule that can be used to make fuels or chemicals. Scientists propose a solution to the problem of waste disposal based on these catalysts.
"These organic molecules transport hydrogen from where it is produced to where it is used for waste processing, particularly in urban environments where we collect a lot of this waste," they said.
Methanol is used to break down PET into smaller fragments and a source of H2 to generate p-xylene from PET, a potential chemical or fuel. Applying this method can change the economy and rid it of fossil fuels.
Researchers around the world have already developed ways to turn waste into green hydrogen. Hyundai recently started testing domestic fuel production using biogas from food waste.
