Scientists utilise sunlight to convert plastic waste

Canberra (ANTARA) - Scientists are developing solar-powered technology to convert plastic waste into clean fuel, offering a potential solution to pollution and energy challenges, according to a study from Australia, as reported by Xinhua. The research explores how a sunlight-driven process can transform used plastics into hydrogen, synthetic gas (syngas), and other industrial chemicals, thereby providing a pathway to a more sustainable circular economy, according to a statement from the University of Adelaide in Australia. Global plastic production exceeds 460 million tonnes annually, with much of that volume polluting the environment, the study notes, highlighting how carbon- and hydrogen-rich plastics can be repurposed as an untapped resource rather than discarded as waste. The process, known as solar-powered photoreforming, uses light-activated photocatalysts to break down plastics at relatively low temperatures. These reactions can produce hydrogen, a clean fuel with no emissions when used, as well as other valuable chemicals for industry, the study published in the journal Chem Catalysis explains. Compared to conventional water-based hydrogen production, plastic photoreforming is more energy-efficient because plastics are easier to oxidise and potentially easier to scale up, the researchers say. Nevertheless, they warn of significant challenges, including the complexity of mixed plastic waste, catalyst durability, and energy-intensive purification stages. “With ongoing innovation, we believe solar-powered plastic-to-fuel technology can play a key role in building a sustainable, low-carbon future,” said Lu Xiao, a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide who led the research.