1
|
Feng J, Duan J, Hung CT, Zhang Z, Li K, Ai Y, Yang C, Zhao Y, Yu Z, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zhao D, Li W. Micelles Cascade Assembly to Tandem Porous Catalyst for Waste Plastics Upcycling. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202405252. [PMID: 38644634 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202405252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Catalytic upcycling of polyolefins into high-value chemicals represents the direction in end-of-life plastics valorization, but poses great challenges. Here, we report the synthesis of a tandem porous catalyst via a micelle cascade assembly strategy for selectively catalytic cracking of polyethylene into olefins at a low temperature. A hierarchically porous silica layer from mesopore to macropore is constructed on the surface of microporous ZSM-5 nanosheets through cascade assembly of dynamic micelles. The outer macropore arrays can adsorb bulky polyolefins quickly by the capillary and hydrophobic effects, enhancing the diffusion and access to active sites. The middle mesopores present a nanoconfinement space, pre-cracking polyolefins into intermediates by weak acid sites, which then transport into zeolites micropores for further cracking by strong Brønsted acid sites. The hierarchically porous and acidic structures, mimicking biomimetic protease catalytic clefts, ideally match the tandem cracking steps of polyolefins, thus suppressing coke formation and facilitating product escape. As a result, light hydrocarbons (C1-C7) are produced with a yield of 443 mmol gZSM-5 -1, where 74.3 % of them are C3-C6 olefins, much superior to ZSM-5 and porous silica catalysts. This tandem porous catalyst exemplifies a superstructure design of catalytic cracking catalysts for industrial and economical upcycling of plastic wastes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayou Feng
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jindi Duan
- Key Lab of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Chin-Te Hung
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhenghao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Kailin Li
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yan Ai
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Chaochao Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yiyue Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhengmin Yu
- SINOPEC Dalian Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals Co., Ltd., 116045, Dalian, China
| | - Yahong Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Key Lab of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Dongyuan Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang W, Killian L, Thevenon A. Electrochemical recycling of polymeric materials. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8606-8624. [PMID: 38873080 PMCID: PMC11168094 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01754d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymeric materials play a pivotal role in our modern world, offering a diverse range of applications. However, they have been designed with end-properties in mind over recyclability, leading to a crisis in their waste management. The recent emergence of electrochemical recycling methodologies for polymeric materials provides new perspectives on closing their life cycle, and to a larger extent, the plastic loop by transforming plastic waste into monomers, building blocks, or new polymers. In this context, we summarize electrochemical strategies developed for the recovery of building blocks, the functionalization of polymer chains as well as paired electrolysis and discuss how they can make an impact on plastic recycling, especially compared to traditional thermochemical approaches. Additionally, we explore potential directions that could revolutionize research in electrochemical plastic recycling, addressing associated challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weizhe Zhang
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Lars Killian
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Arnaud Thevenon
- Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 Utrecht The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang G, Mao Q, Yue Y, Gao R, Duan Y, Du H. Ni-based catalysts supported on Hbeta zeolite for the hydrocracking of waste polyolefins. RSC Adv 2024; 14:15856-15861. [PMID: 38756856 PMCID: PMC11096778 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02809k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyolefin plastics are the most popular polymer materials worldwide, and the catalytic degradation of post-consumer polyolefins has attracted increased attention as a viable process. In this study, two types of Ni-based catalysts supported on Hbeta zeolite, Ni-Hbeta and NiS2-Hbeta, have been successfully synthesized for the hydrocracking of waste polyolefin. The experimental results indicated that the synergistic effect between Ni or NiS2 and the acidic sites of Hbeta zeolites can significantly enhance the tandem cracking and hydrogenation of polyolefin plastics, which suppresses the formation of gas products and coke. Ni-Hbeta employed as a catalyst can effectively degrade HDPE into high value liquid and gas products with high yield of 94% under 523 K and 3 MPa H2, while also exhibiting excellent cycle stability. In particular, Ni-Hbeta shows better catalytic performance than NiS2-Hbeta during the hydrocracking of HDPE at a relatively low temperature of 523 K. Furthermore, Ni-Hbeta catalyst also exhibits a remarkable capability for efficient depolymerization of unsorted post-consumer polyolefin plastics (HDPE, LDPE, PP) containing various additives and pollutants. These findings underscore the application potential of employing noble metal-free and recyclable catalysts for hydrocracking plastic waste, thereby facilitating the realization of a circular economy for plastics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Qingguo Mao
- Liaoning Bora Bioenergy Co. Ltd Panjin 124000 Liaoning P. R. China
| | - Yiqun Yue
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Ruitong Gao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Yajing Duan
- College of Physics, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Hui Du
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Energy and Resources, Qingdao University Qingdao 266071 Shandong P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vollmer I, Jenks MJF, Rejman S, Meirer F, Gurinov A, Baldus M, Weckhuysen BM. Unravelling potential reaction intermediates during catalytic pyrolysis of polypropylene with microscopy and spectroscopy. Catal Sci Technol 2024; 14:894-902. [PMID: 38379714 PMCID: PMC10876043 DOI: 10.1039/d3cy01473h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
While plastics-to-plastics recycling via melting and re-extrusion is often the preferred option due to a relatively low CO2 footprint, this technique requires a highly sorted waste stream and plastic properties can often not be maintained. Obtaining aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX), via catalytic pyrolysis of polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, offers another attractive recycling technology. In this process, a discarded crude oil refinery catalyst (ECAT) was previously shown to lower the unwanted formation of deactivating coke species compared to a fresh crude oil refinery catalyst (FCC-cat), while yielding 20 wt% aromatics from polypropylene. In this work, we study the underlying reaction mechanism for this chemical recycling process over the fresh and used refinery catalyst as well as a model system, not containing any zeolite material, using a combination of microscopy and spectroscopy. More specifically, by using in situ fluorescence microscopy, in situ infrared spectroscopy, in situ ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy as well as ex situ solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, we observe highly fluorescent methylated aromatic intermediates that differ for the three catalyst materials under study both in their fluorescence, IR, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy features. This detailed micro-spectroscopic comparison informs which potential reaction intermediates lead to increased coke formation. Our results suggests that a next generation of catalyst materials for this process would profit from a higher accessibility and a milder acidity compared to an FCC-cat and shows the great potential of using ECAT to reduce coking and obtain a BTX stream, which could be become the chemical building blocks for the manufacturing of e.g., plastics and coating materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ina Vollmer
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Michael J F Jenks
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Rejman
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Florian Meirer
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Andrei Gurinov
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University Padualaan 8 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Marc Baldus
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University Padualaan 8 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Bert M Weckhuysen
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science and Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University Universiteitsweg 99 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Werny MJ, Meirer F, Weckhuysen BM. Visualizing the Structure, Composition and Activity of Single Catalyst Particles for Olefin Polymerization and Polyolefin Decomposition. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202306033. [PMID: 37782261 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The structural and morphological characterization of individual catalyst particles for olefin polymerization, as well as for the reverse process of polyolefin decomposition, can provide an improved understanding for how these catalyst materials operate under relevant reaction conditions. In this review, we discuss an emerging analytical toolbox of 2D and 3D chemical imaging techniques that is suitable for investigating the chemistry and reactivity of related catalyst systems. While synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy still provides unparalleled spatial resolutions in 2D and 3D, a number of laboratory-based techniques, most notably focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy, infrared photoinduced force microscopy and laboratory-based X-ray nano-computed tomography, have helped to significantly expand the arsenal of analytical tools available to scientists in heterogeneous catalysis and polymer science. In terms of future research, the review outlines the role and impact of in situ and operando (spectro-)microscopy experiments, involving sophisticated reactors as well as online reactant and product analysis, to obtain real-time information on the formation, decomposition, and mobility of polymer phases within single catalyst particles. Furthermore, the potential of fluorescence microscopy, X-ray microscopy and optical microscopy is highlighted for the high-throughput characterization of olefin polymerization and polyolefin decomposition catalysts. By combining these chemical imaging techniques with, for example, chemical staining methodologies, selective probe molecules as well as particle sorting approaches, representative structure-activity relationships can be derived at the level of single catalyst particles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian J Werny
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry and Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI), P.O. Box 902, 5600, AX Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Florian Meirer
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry and Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bert M Weckhuysen
- Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry and Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584, CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chang Y, Blanton SJ, Andraos R, Nguyen VS, Liotta CL, Schork FJ, Sievers C. Kinetic Phenomena in Mechanochemical Depolymerization of Poly(styrene). ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:178-191. [PMID: 38213546 PMCID: PMC10777454 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c05296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic polyolefinic plastics comprise one of the largest shares of global plastic waste, which is being targeted for chemical recycling by depolymerization to monomers and small molecules. One promising method of chemical recycling is solid-state depolymerization under ambient conditions in a ball-mill reactor. In this paper, we elucidate kinetic phenomena in the mechanochemical depolymerization of poly(styrene). Styrene is produced in this process at a constant rate and selectivity alongside minor products, including oxygenates like benzaldehyde, via mechanisms analogous to those involved in thermal and oxidative pyrolysis. Continuous monomer removal during reactor operation is critical for avoiding repolymerization, and promoting effects are exhibited by iron surfaces and molecular oxygen. Kinetic independence between depolymerization and molecular weight reduction was observed, despite both processes originating from the same driving force of mechanochemical collisions. Phenomena across multiple length scales are shown to be responsible for differences in reactivity due to differences in grinding parameters and reactant composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Chang
- School
of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Sylvie J. Blanton
- School
of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Ralph Andraos
- School
of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Van Son Nguyen
- School
of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Charles L. Liotta
- School
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - F. Joseph Schork
- School
of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Carsten Sievers
- School
of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| |
Collapse
|