PLASTIC WASTE VALORIZATION TO CLEAN H2 AND DECARBONIZED CHEMICALS BY CATALYTIC DECONSTRUCTION WITH NOVEL IONIC LIQUID-BASED CATALYTIC SYSTEMS

Introduction

Daily basis used plastics cause a huge amount of waste having an enormous impact on the environment and living species at the end-of-life of plastics disposal. In fact, around 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually in the world and only a small percentage, less than 9% according to UNEP, of this plastic is recycled. Additionally, 12% is incinerated and the remaining 79% generates significant contamination problems.

Challenges in Plastic Waste Management

There are already different ways, not all of them economically viable, to valorize plastic waste (PW), e.g., chemical recycling to feedstocks and energy. The smart management and valorization of PW generated is a major challenge to be addressed by the scientific community.

Furthermore, the decarbonization of all sectors of activity becomes of paramount importance. Hydrogen is set to play a key role in decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors, as well as representing a zero-carbon feedstock for chemicals and fuel production.

The Need for Decarbonized Hydrogen Production

For H2 to play the desired role in the energy transition, the scientific community must face the big challenge of decarbonizing H2 production at a competitive cost.

WASTE2H2 Proposal

Consequently, WASTE2H2 is proposing a novel method where innovative Ionic Liquid-based catalytic systems are combined with microwave (MW) irradiation to selectively produce highly pure clean H2 and valuable decarbonized chemicals (solid carbon) from PW. This approach addresses simultaneously PW remediation and global climate change mitigation.

Novelty and Breakthroughs

WASTE2H2 adds significant breakthroughs compared to other routes for PW management and H2 production:

1. Plastic waste deconstruction by a single-step method powered by renewable electricity and working under mild conditions.
2. Fast production of highly pure H2.
3. Valuable solid carbon production as the sole decarbonized co-product, with easy recovery for its commercialization.
4. Expected long lifespan of the catalytic system, with easy recovery and reuse.
5. Significant reduction in energy consumption due to MWs.
6. High potential to reduce H2 production cost.