Hydrogenolysis of Poly(Ethylene–co–Vinyl Alcohol) and Related Polymer Blends over Ruthenium Heterogeneous Catalysts

Oberhausen, Christine M.; Mahajan, Jignesh S.; Sun, Jessie A.; Epps, Thomas H.; Korley, LaShanda T. J.; Vlachos, Dionisios G.

doi:10.1002/cssc.202400238

Hydrogenolysis of Poly(Ethylene–co–Vinyl Alcohol) and Related Polymer Blends over Ruthenium Heterogeneous Catalysts

Journal Article · Fri Apr 12 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · ChemSusChem

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202400238· OSTI ID:2338152

Oberhausen, Christine M. ^[1]; Mahajan, Jignesh S. ^[2]; Sun, Jessie A. ^[2]; Epps, Thomas H. ^[2]; Korley, LaShanda T. J. ^[2]; Vlachos, Dionisios G. ^[2]

Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States); University of Delaware
Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States)

The hydrogenolysis of polymers is emerging as a promising approach to deconstruct plastic waste into valuable chemicals. Yet, the complexity of plastic waste, including multilayer packaging, is a significant barrier to handling realistic waste streams. Herein, we reveal fundamental insights into a new chemical route for transforming a previously unaddressed fraction of plastic waste – poly(ethylene–co–vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) and related polymer blends – into alkane products. Additionally, we report that Ru/ZrO2 is active for the concurrent hydrogenolysis, hydrogenation, and hydrodeoxygenation of EVOH and its thermal degradation products into alkanes (C1–C35) and water. Detailed reaction data, product analysis, and catalyst characterization reveal that the in–situ thermal degradation of EVOH forms aromatic intermediates that are detrimental to catalytic activity. Increased hydrogen pressure promotes hydrogenation of these aromatics, preventing catalyst deactivation and improving alkane product yields. Calculated apparent rates of C–C scission reveal that the hydrogenolysis of EVOH is slower than low–density polyethylene. We apply these findings to achieve hydrogenolysis of EVOH/polyethylene blends and elucidate the sensitivity of hydrogenolysis catalysts to such blends. Overall, we demonstrate progress towards efficient catalytic processes for the hydroconversion of waste multilayer film plastic packaging into valuable products.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); US Department of Commerce; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0021166

OSTI ID:: 2338152

Journal Information:: ChemSusChem, Journal Name: ChemSusChem Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 17; ISSN 1864-5631

Publisher:: ChemPubSoc EuropeCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Hydrogenolysis of Poly(Ethylene–co–Vinyl Alcohol) and Related Polymer Blends over Ruthenium Heterogeneous Catalysts

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