BAKU – A new scientific approach is showing promise in turning plastic pollution into usable clean fuels using solar energy, researchers report, according to Xinhua.
Scientists from Australia’s Adelaide University are studying how sunlight can drive chemical reactions that convert plastic waste into hydrogen, syngas, and other valuable industrial materials. The goal is to reduce pollution while creating renewable energy sources.
With more than 460 million tons of plastic produced globally every year, much of it leaking into ecosystems, researchers emphasize that plastics may represent an untapped resource due to their carbon- and hydrogen-rich composition.
The method, known as photoreforming, uses light-sensitive catalysts to break down plastics under relatively low heat conditions powered by sunlight.
Published in the journal Chem Catalysis, the research shows that this process can generate clean hydrogen fuel as well as chemical byproducts used in various industries.
Scientists say the approach could be more efficient than conventional hydrogen production from water, since plastic materials are easier to break down and may be more scalable for future applications.
However, they note ongoing obstacles such as mixed plastic waste processing, catalyst stability, and the cost of purification stages.
Lead researcher Lu Xiao of Adelaide University said continued development could make solar-powered plastic conversion an important tool for achieving a more sustainable, low-carbon energy system.
ia/xf
