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Title: Chemical and Biological Catalysis for Plastics Recycling and Upcycling

Journal Article · · Nature Catalysis

Plastics pollution is causing an environmental crisis, prompting the development of new approaches for recycling, and upcycling. Here, we review challenges and opportunities in chemical and biological catalysis for plastics deconstruction, recycling, and upcycling. We stress the need for rigorous characterization and use of widely available substrates, such that catalyst performance can be compared across studies. Where appropriate, we draw parallels between catalysis on biomass and plastics, as both substrates are low-value, solid, recalcitrant polymers. Innovations in catalyst design and reaction engineering are needed to overcome kinetic and thermodynamic limitations of plastics deconstruction. Either chemical and biological catalysts will need to act interfacially, where catalysts function at a solid surface, or polymers will need to be solubilized or processed to smaller intermediates to facilitate improved catalyst–substrate interaction. Overall, developing catalyst-driven technologies for plastics deconstruction and upcycling is critical to incentivize improved plastics reclamation and reduce the severe global burden of plastic waste.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Manufacturing Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1822380
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-2A00-78171; MainId:32080; UUID:60c65235-a33c-4ea3-8f12-b3551f4a1cc9; MainAdminID:62960
Journal Information:
Nature Catalysis, Vol. 4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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