Ni/SiO2 catalysts for polyolefin deconstruction via the divergent hydrogenolysis mechanism

Vance, Brandon C.; Kots, Pavel A.; Wang, Cong; Granite, Jack E.; Vlachos, Dionisios G.

doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.122138

Ni/SiO₂ catalysts for polyolefin deconstruction via the divergent hydrogenolysis mechanism

Journal Article · Wed Nov 02 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Applied Catalysis. B, Environmental

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.122138· OSTI ID:2421774

Vance, Brandon C. ^[1]; Kots, Pavel A. ^[2]; Wang, Cong ^[2]; Granite, Jack E. ^[2]; Vlachos, Dionisios G. ^[2]

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

Noble metal-based hydrogenolysis is emerging as a key chemical deconstruction technology of polyolefins into valuable products. Still, the catalyst cost and availability are significant barriers to handling the large volume of plastics. Cheap earth-abundant metals have been deemed inactive for polyolefin hydrogenolysis. Herein, we report that Ni/SiO₂ is active in deconstructing low-density polyethylene to n-alkanes (C₆-C₃₅) at mild conditions (300 °C, 30barH₂) with maximum liquid yields of 65 wt%. In this study, we expose a new mechanism of long-alkane hydrogenolysis that encompasses chain location-dependent single and multiple C-C bond cracking events and rationalizes product selectivity and molecular weight dependence. Ni/SiO₂ catalysts are reusable and can handle multiple plastics producing feedstock-dependent products (i.e., n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, cyclics, aromatics, etc.). The findings broaden the scope of viable catalysts polyolefin hydrogenolysis and unleash the potential to manage the volume of plastic waste.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF); National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0021166

OSTI ID:: 2421774

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1897289

Journal Information:: Applied Catalysis. B, Environmental, Journal Name: Applied Catalysis. B, Environmental Journal Issue: C Vol. 322; ISSN 0926-3373

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Ni/SiO2 catalysts for polyolefin deconstruction via the divergent hydrogenolysis mechanism

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