CO-promoted polyethylene hydrogenolysis with renewable formic acid as hydrogen donor
Abstract Hydrogenolysis has emerged as a promising strategy for the chemical recycling of plastic waste, yet its reliance on high-pressure hydrogen poses significant challenges. Biomass- or CO2-derived formic acid (FA) is a renewable hydrogen carrier with the advantages of low toxicity and ease of s...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63189-5 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Hydrogenolysis has emerged as a promising strategy for the chemical recycling of plastic waste, yet its reliance on high-pressure hydrogen poses significant challenges. Biomass- or CO2-derived formic acid (FA) is a renewable hydrogen carrier with the advantages of low toxicity and ease of storage and transport. Here, we use FA to replace high-pressure hydrogen to convert polyethylene (PE) into fuels and chemicals with only 4.1% gaseous products by a RuPt alloy catalyst. We demonstrate that the trace amounts of CO generated from the decomposition of FA do not poison the active sites, but rather induce the formation of Ruδ+, which facilitates the C–C bond cleavage during PE hydrogenolysis. This approach eliminates the need for high-pressure hydrogen and provides a more flexible and adaptable approach for decentralized plastic processing. |
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| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |