Science Advances outlines a way to use a platinum-tungten-zirconium catalyst (“Pt/WO3/ZrO2” for short) along with a zeolite crystal to turn trash into, if not treasure, then at least fuel for fast machines:
Single-use plastics impose an enormous environmental threat, but their recycling, especially of polyolefins, has been proven challenging. We report a direct method to selectively convert polyolefins to branched, liquid fuels including diesel, jet, and gasoline-range hydrocarbons, with high yield up to 85% over Pt/WO3/ZrO2 and HY zeolite in hydrogen at temperatures as low as 225°C.
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The process can be tuned to convert different common plastic wastes, including low- and high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, everyday polyethylene bottles and bags, and composite plastics to desirable fuels and light lubricants.
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The possibility of converting plastic waste to various types of motor fuels or lubricant base oils can add vital flexibility and increase economic feasibility of future plastic-waste conversion plants. Engineering the zeolite acidity and porosity can be a way to tune the product distribution.