Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking method to tackle plastic waste using only air moisture and a clever catalyst. This innovative, non-toxic, and eco-friendly process could revolutionize plastic recycling.
The process targets PET plastics, commonly found in bottles and packaging, which account for 12% of global plastic use. PET doesn’t break down easily and often ends up in landfills or waterways as harmful microplastics. Traditional recycling methods for PET are harsh, requiring high energy, toxic chemicals, and expensive catalysts.
Northwestern’s team, however, has introduced a solvent-free and low-energy alternative.
Their method begins with adding a molybdenum catalyst and activated carbon to PET. When heated, the plastic breaks down into smaller pieces. Exposing these pieces to air moisture turns them into terephthalic acid (TPA), a valuable building block for new plastics.
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This process achieves a 94% recovery rate for TPA in just four hours. The only byproduct, acetaldehyde, is also a useful industrial chemical.
What sets this process apart is its simplicity and sustainability. The catalyst can be reused repeatedly without losing effectiveness, and the process works with mixed plastics, removing the need for sorting. It even breaks down colored plastics into pure, colorless TPA, making it economically advantageous for recycling industries.
“This is a much more elegant way to recycle plastics,” said researcher Yosi Kratish. “By using water vapor from air, we avoid harmful solvents and reduce energy input, offering a cleaner and more sustainable solution.”
The team tested the method on everyday items like plastic bottles and clothing and succeeded similarly. Looking ahead, they plan to scale this process for industrial use, aiming to handle large amounts of plastic waste.
“We’re taking a tangible step toward a cleaner, greener future,” said Naveen Malik, the study’s lead author. “Our approach aligns with nature and could help create a circular economy where plastics are reused instead of discarded.”
This advancement offers hope for significantly reducing plastic pollution while reshaping the recycling industry. It’s a testament to how innovative chemistry can address one of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Journal Reference:
- Naveen Malik, Jiaqi Li et al. Thermodynamically leveraged solventless aerobic deconstruction of polyethylene-terephthalate plastics over a single-site molybdenum-dioxo catalyst. Green Chemistry. DOI: 10.1039/D4GC05916F
Source: Tech Explorist
