Plas2Cat: Synergism of Plasmonics and other Catalytic processes for Reforming Plastics

Plastic waste, once valued for its durability, now presents severe environmental and economic challenges due to its persistence and complex disposal. Contributing 5% to global greenhouse gas emissions with projections of 2.6 Gt of CO2 annually by 2050, urgent solutions are needed. Currently, only 10% of plastics are repurposed into lower-value products, highlighting the necessity for innovative cradle-to-cradle approaches. The Plas2Cat project, which will be hosted by Prof. Erwin Reisner’s lab and the NanoPhotonics Centre (NPC) at the University of Cambridge, aims to address these challenges. The Reisner lab’s expertise in solar reforming and NPC’s advanced plasmonic cavities will underpin the development of core-shell plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored properties. By utilising gold, palladium, and exploring copper, nickel, and metal oxides, the project seeks to enhance catalytic performance and sustainability. Plasmonic nanomaterials will enable the harnessing of lower-energy visible to infrared light, broadening the usable light spectrum for catalytic transformations. The project will employ these NPs to drive catalytic transformations of plastic waste. Using photoelectrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, the study will investigate interactions between NPs and plastic molecules, track intermediates and products, and elucidate plasmonic redox properties. Aiming to tackle the challenging recycling of polystyrene (PS), the project will focus on breaking C–H and C–C bonds in PS to produce valuable feedstocks like benzoic acid and styrene. Initial efforts will target smaller compounds and shorter PS chains, with plans to eventually use longer chains and real PS waste. The project will emphasize sustainability by developing plasmonic nanomaterials from earth-abundant metals and oxides like magnesium and manganese oxide. By integrating plasmonics with catalytic processes, Plas2Cat seeks to revolutionize plastic upcycling and advance the circular economy.