Researchers at East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai, have unveiled a groundbreaking approach to waste management that offers a potential "closed loop" solution. This process utilizes seawater and sunlight to recycle plastics, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to the global plastic waste crisis.
Led by Professor Jiang Xuefeng from ECNU's School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, the research employs a catalyst called uranyl, a nonradioactive uranium abundant in seawater. This catalyst, when combined with sunlight at room temperature and pressure, facilitates the degradation of common plastics. This groundbreaking method transforms plastics into commercial chemicals and monomers in just a day or two, a remarkable improvement compared to the decades or centuries natural decomposition would typically take. This innovative process has the potential to establish a genuine closed loop for plastics recycling, breaking down materials while extracting valuable compounds for further utilization instead of wasting them. Moreover, the method's relatively low energy requirements offer a significant environmental advantage compared to conventional recycling methods that demand substantial electricity consumption.
Published in the Science Bulletin on July 29, the study titled "Degradation of Plastic Wastes to Commercial Chemicals and Monomers Under Visible Light" is a collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Looking ahead, Jiang envisions practical and realistic plastic degradation in various real-world scenarios. Notably, the process can effectively degrade mixed plastics, allowing bottles to contain liquids and labels to remain attached without hindering the process. The team aims to transform plastic waste in landfills into high-purity, reusable raw materials, highlighting their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.In summary, researchers at ECNU have developed a groundbreaking plastic recycling approach that utilizes seawater and sunlight to efficiently degrade plastics into valuable compounds within a short timeframe. This innovation holds the potential to create a true closed loop for plastic recycling, minimizing waste while conserving energy resources.
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