Conversion of Waste Plastics into Value-Added Carbonaceous Fuels under Mild Conditions

Owing to the extremely difficult breakage of the adamant cross-linked structures, converting non-recyclable plastic wastes into valuable fuels usually demands rigorous conditions, wherein the required high temperature and pressure is inevitably energy-wasting and environment-polluting. Given this aspect, herein, the recent achievements in the conversion of plastics into value-added carbonaceous fuels under mild conditions are summarized. In detail, solar-driven conversion of commercial plastics into liquid fuels in alkaline solutions or pure water at ambient temperature and pressure are surveyed; also, enzyme-driven conversion of polyethylene terephthalate into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol at a mild temperature are emphasized; and low-temperature-driven catalytic conversion of polyethylene into oils and waxes with the help of a light alkane are reviewed. Finally, other potentially used strategies and in situ characterization technologies in plastics degradation under moderate conditions are presented.

Automated summary

This article summarizes recent achievements in the conversion of plastics into valuable fuels under mild conditions, such as solar-driven conversion, enzyme-driven conversion, and low-temperature catalytic conversion. Other potentially used strategies and in situ characterization technologies in plastics degradation under moderate conditions are also presented.