Using sunlight to turn plastic waste into clean fuel has potential for large-scale applications
A research paper by Adelaide University Ph.D. candidate Xiao Lu suggests that the use of sunlight to convert plastic waste into clean energy represents a ‘significant opportunity’- but still faces challenges in transitioning from laboratory success to real-world application. In a paper titled “Opportunities and challenges in sustainable fuel production from plastics,” featured in Chem Catalysis, Ms Lu and senior author Professor Xiaoguang Duan from the School of Chemical Engineering examined how solar-based fuel conversion technologies could help repurpose some of the 450+ million tonnes of plastic waste produced each year, whilst reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Her research found that plastics that are rich in carbon and hydrogen represent an untapped source of clean energy, converted via the process known as solar-driven photoreforming. “Plastic is often seen as a major environmental problem, but it also represents a significant opportunity,” said Ms. Lu. “If we can efficiently convert waste plastics into clean fuels using sunlight, we can address pollution and energy challenges at the same time.” A more efficient way to generate hydrogen Solar-driven photoreforming, …
