Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2023, Vol. 49: 113-122.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64435-3

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Highly efficient photothermal catalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate via boosted localized heating

Xiangxi Loua,b,1, Xuan Gaob,1, Yu Liub, Mingyu Chub, Congyang Zhangb, Yinghua Qiub, Wenxiu Yangc,*(), Muhan Caob, Guiling Wanga,*(), Qiao Zhangb, Jinxing Chenb,*()   

  1. aKey Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang, China
    bInstitute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
    cAnalysis and Testing Center of Southeast University, Southeast University, Jiulonghu Lake Campus, Nanjing 211189, Jiangsu, China
  • Received:2023-02-01 Accepted:2023-03-19 Online:2023-06-18 Published:2023-06-05
  • Contact: *E-mail: 101012725@seu.edu.cn (W. Yang), wangguiling@hrbeu.edu.cn (G. Wang), chenjinxing@suda.edu.cn (J. Chen).
  • About author:First author contact:1Contributed equally to this work.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(51901147);Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices(ZZ2103);Gusu Innovation and Entrepreneurship Leading Talent Program(ZXL2022492);111 Project, and the Undergraduate Training Program for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Soochow University(202210285038Z)

Abstract:

Photothermal catalysis driven by clean solar energy efficiently converts plastic waste into high-value-added products. The catalytic process involves the transformation of solar energy to chemical energy. However, designing photothermal catalysts with a high conversion efficiency and catalytic activity remains considerably challenging. In this study, a c-ZIF-8@SiO2 nanostructure is fabricated. It acts both as the photothermal reagent and the catalyst, displaying high photothermal conversion efficiency, catalytic activity, and stability in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glycolysis. SiO2-coated c-ZIF-8 effectively reduces the thermal radiation loss of the carbon material, thus enhancing the local thermal effect of the catalytic system. Consequently, the conversion efficiency of PET achieved using photothermal catalysis is 3.4 times higher than that of thermal catalysis under the same conditions. An economic efficiency analysis proves that photothermal catalysis can save 6390000 kW·h of electricity and reduce up to 3089.59 tons of CO2 emissions for every 10000 tons of PET recycled. Therefore, the development of clean energy-driven photothermal catalysis technology could be a potential solution for the upcycling of waste plastics.

Key words: Photothermal catalysis, Localized heating effect, Polyester upcycling, Polyester glycolysis, Metal-organic framework