A5027076305- Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Polymer crystallization and properties
- biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Nanomaterials for catalytic reactions
- Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis
- Catalysts for Methane Reforming
- Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
- Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis
- Catalysis and Hydrodesulfurization Studies
- Extraction and Separation Processes
- Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
- Zeolite Catalysis and Synthesis
- Fiber-reinforced polymer composites
- Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes
- Mesoporous Materials and Catalysis
- Environmental remediation with nanomaterials
- Membrane Separation Technologies
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
University of Delaware
2021-2024
Center for Innovation
2021-2024
Iowa State University
2021
Single-use plastics impose an enormous environmental threat, but their recycling, especially of polyolefins, has been proven challenging. We report a direct method to selectively convert polyolefins branched, liquid fuels including diesel, jet, and gasoline-range hydrocarbons, with high yield up 85% over Pt/WO
Plastics waste has become a major environmental threat, with polyethylene being one of the most produced and hardest to recycle plastics. Hydrogenolysis is potentially viable catalytic technology for recycling. Ruthenium (Ru) active hydrogenolysis catalysts but yields too much methane. Here we introduce ruthenium supported on tungstated zirconia (Ru-WZr) low-density (LDPE). We show that Ru-WZr suppress methane formation produce product distribution in diesel wax/lubricant base-oil range...
Plastic recycling and upcycling are required to combat the environmental crisis from landfilling consumer products. Chemocatalytic technologies most promising approach achieve this. Here, we show that ruthenium deposited on titania is an active selective catalyst in polypropylene breakdown into valuable lubricant-range hydrocarbons with narrow molecular weight distribution a low methane formation at temperatures of 250 °C modest H2 pressure. Amorphous everyday bags bottles were also...
Abstract Chemical upcycling of polyolefin plastic waste to lubricant, wax and fuel-range hydrocarbons over metal-based catalysts is a crucial technological solution the enormous environmental threat posed by waste. However, currently available methods are incompatible with chlorine-contaminated feedstocks. Here we report two-stage strategy for polypropylene. First, magnesia–alumina mixed oxide at 30 bar H 2 250 °C serves as chlorine trap rapidly forming solid chloride, resulting in nearly...
A direct comparison of the recent advancements in hydrogenolysis and hydrocracking polyolefins is lacking. This perspective aims to address this gap while providing insights from model alkane studies guide future research.
Ruthenium (Ru) is the one of most promising catalysts for polyolefin hydrogenolysis. Its performance varies widely with support, but reasons remain unknown. Here, we introduce a simple synthetic strategy (using ammonia as modulator) to tune metal-support interactions and apply it Ru deposited on titania (TiO2). We demonstrate that combining deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy temperature variation density functional theory can reveal complex nature, binding strength, H amount....
This work details the effect of common antioxidants on activity and functionality a hydrocracking catalyst, along with associated changes to product distribution in deconstruction high-density polyethylene.
Pyrolytic and light-activated oxidation processes are leading technologies for utilizing polystyrene (PS) wastes. These approaches exhibit poor selectivities, use complex reactors, require solvents. Hydrogenolysis is effective deconstructing polyolefins, but its application to PS feedstocks has been limited. Herein, we demonstrate Ni/SiO2 catalysts facilitate (Mw ≈ 97 kDa) hydrogenolysis produce lubricant base oils possessing group IV properties, achieving maximum yields of 70% within 6 h at...
Earth-abundant metals have recently been demonstrated as cheap catalyst alternatives to scarce noble 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 selectivity <5% at moderate polymer deconstruction (25-45%). A temperature up 550 °C increases the nearly sevenfold. Catalyst characterization (XRD, XAS,
We investigate the hydrocracking of high-density polyethylene using a bifunctional Pt/Al2O3 and modified mordenite acid catalyst. Mass transport limitations impact polymer diffusion into pore complex. Initial reaction intermediates are formed on zeolite's outer surface. Intercrystallite open-end mesopores improve deeper crystal. Recrystallization desilication lead to higher conversion shift product distribution maximum from pentanes hexanes heptanes. The nature (occluded or open) total...
Catalytic deconstruction has emerged as a promising solution to valorize polyethylene (PE) waste into valuable products, such oils, fuels, surfactants, and lubricants. Unfortunately, commercialization been hampered by inadequate optimization of PE due an inability either truly characterize the polymer transformations or adjust catalytic conditions match ever-evolving product distribution associated property changes. To address these challenges, detailed analysis molar mass distributions...
We explore hydrogenolysis over ruthenium supported on zirconia (Ru/ZrO2) and hydrocracking platinum (Pt) zeolites as an effective end-of-life strategy for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)─a widely used performance heat sealant in hard-to-recycle multilayer packaging. For Ru/ZrO2 hydrogenolysis, EVA reacts slower than low-density polyethylene (LDPE) the catalyst deactivates due to carbonaceous deposits originating from polyenes generated situ during thermal degradation. High H2 pressures...