Catalytic strategies for upvaluing plastic wastes

The massive accumulation of plastics in the environment has a severe impact on humanity's living conditions. One possible solution is the recycling and upgrading of plastic waste at the molecular level. In this perspective, we illustrate that polymers can be depolymerized and transformed into high-value chemicals through three strategies: (1) depolymerization into monomers, oligomers, or other derivatives, followed by transformation into high-value chemicals; (2) degradation to small platform molecules (e.g., CO2, CH4, formic acid, and methanol) followed by upgradation; and (3) direct transformation into high-value chemicals. New possibilities for the future development of catalytic upcycling strategies using plastic wastes as raw materials have been discussed.

Automated summary

This passage discusses the severe impact of massive plastic accumulation on human living conditions and presents a possible solution to recycle and upgrade plastic waste at the molecular level. It highlights three strategies for depolymerization and transformation of plastics into high-value chemicals: depolymerization into monomers, oligomers, or other derivatives followed by transformation, degradation to small platform molecules followed by upgradation, and direct transformation into high-value chemicals. The future development of catalytic upcycling strategies using plastic waste as raw materials is also discussed.