Hydrogenolysis of Polypropylene and Mixed Polyolefin Plastic Waste over Ru/C to Produce Liquid Alkanes

Catalytic depolymerization of polyolefins is a promising chemical recycling strategy to create value-added products from waste plastics, which are accumulating in landfills and the natural environment at unsustainable rates. The cleavage of strong C-C bonds in polyolefins can be performed using a noble metal and hydrogen via a hydrogenolysis mechanism. Previously, we identified ruthenium nanoparticles supported on carbon (Ru/C) as a highly active heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of polyethylene into liquid and gaseous n-alkanes under mild conditions. In the present study, we investigated the catalytic depolymerization of polypropylene (PP) under mild conditions (200-250 degrees C, 20-50 bar H-2). We demonstrate that Ru/C produces C-5-C-32 iso-alkane yields above 68% in the absence of solvent and identify trade-offs between product yield and temperature, hydrogen pressure, and reaction time. We apply a rigorous analytical method to quantify all liquid and gaseous alkane products. The characterized catalyst was found to be recyclable after the complete depolymerization of high molecular weight PP (M-w similar to 340,000 Da) to liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and after depolymerization of a postconsumer PP centrifuge tube. Further, the catalyst was shown to be effective in depolymerizing a mixture of high-density polyethylene and PP to produce a mixture of linear and branched liquid alkanes, demonstrating feasibility for the depolymerization of streams of mixed polyolefin waste.

Automated summary

Catalytic depolymerization of polyolefins is a promising chemical recycling strategy utilizing noble metal and hydrogen for breaking strong C-C bonds. The study investigated the conversion of polypropylene under mild conditions, demonstrating trade-offs between product yield and temperature, hydrogen pressure, and reaction time. The characterized catalyst was found to be recyclable and effective in depolymerizing a mixture of high-density polyethylene and PP, showcasing feasibility for mixed polyolefin waste streams.