Light bulb-inspired high-temperature catalytic depolymerization of polyolefin plastic with high monomer selectivity

Shijie Yu, Peijie Han, Haoyue Li, Sikai Wang, Junyang Xuan and Ning Yan ()
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Shijie Yu: National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Peijie Han: National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Haoyue Li: National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Sikai Wang: National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Junyang Xuan: National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Ning Yan: National University of Singapore, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The accumulation of plastic waste poses a severe environmental issue, and efficient depolymerization of plastic is essential toward sustainable waste management and circularity. However, depolymerizing polyolefin plastic into monomer with high selectivity remains a challenge. Herein, inspired by the incandescent light bulb, we demonstrate a catalytic depolymerization strategy utilizing high-temperature transition metal filaments to convert polyolefin plastic to olefin monomer, with monomer selectivity reaching up to 65%. The electrified transition metal filaments, serving as localized heat sources, can reach a high temperature of up to 2300 °C, significantly promoting the generation of gaseous products. The reaction region with sharp temperature gradient restrains secondary transformations of monomer. Monomer selectivity is tunable by varying different high-melting-point metallic elements, and can be extended to bulk commodity alloy, such as stainless steel.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65524-2

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